Fabricio Werdum, a former UFC heavyweight champion, has some strong opinions about the MMA landscape, particularly regarding the upcoming bout between Robelis Despaigne and Francis Ngannou. In this article, I'll delve into Werdum's thoughts and provide my own analysis and commentary on the sport's current state and future prospects.
A New Hope for Despaigne
Werdum is a big fan of Robelis Despaigne, a Cuban striker who recently made waves in the MMA world. Despaigne's impressive performance against Junior dos Santos at Most Valuable Promotions' 'Rousey vs. Carano' event caught Werdum's attention. The former champion believes Despaigne deserves more recognition and support, especially after his victory over dos Santos via first-round KO.
"I had a great rivalry with ‘Cigano,’ but we became friends after our last fight. When I saw Despaigne's fights in Karate Combat, I knew he was a force to be reckoned with. All the support is for his friend, but I think Despaigne will prove everyone wrong and become a champion himself," Werdum said, expressing his belief in Despaigne's potential.
Ngannou vs. Despaigne: A Match Made in Heaven?
Werdum's confidence in Despaigne extends to predicting a knockout victory over Francis Ngannou, a current UFC heavyweight champion. He believes Despaigne's reach, speed, and precision make him a terrible matchup for Ngannou. "I'm 99% sure Despaigne will beat Ngannou by knockout. He has the tools to exploit Ngannou's weaknesses and I think he'll do it," Werdum stated, offering his expert opinion.
The State of the UFC's Heavyweight Division
Werdum also commented on the current state of the UFC's heavyweight division, expressing his disappointment in the treatment of former champions. He believes the salary figures released from recent events, such as dos Santos' $80,000 payout, are a disservice to the sport. "I thought they started with great purses, but the only one that didn't make sense to me was ‘Cigano's.’ It's embarrassing for a former UFC heavyweight champion to fight for $80,000," Werdum said, advocating for fair compensation for fighters.
Hokit: A Misstep in MMA?
Werdum also took aim at Hokit, a fighter who recently made headlines for his controversial behavior. He believes Hokit doesn't represent the values of MMA and that his actions are embarrassing for the sport. "I didn't know Hokit, and I've never seen him fight. What he does is ridiculous and embarrassing. I'm sure Lewis will knock him out," Werdum stated, offering his perspective on the fighter's behavior.
Pereira vs. Gane: A Battle of Hearts
Werdum also weighed in on the upcoming confrontation between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, believing that Gane's heart will be the deciding factor in the fight. "Ciryl is very good, but he doesn't have heart. I realized that in his fight with Jon Jones. I think Pereira will win and make history by being the first fighter to win three belts," Werdum said, offering his insight into the upcoming bout.
A New Chapter for Werdum?
Werdum's own journey in MMA has taken an interesting turn. After getting involved in a backstage riot at a fight between Wanderlei Silva and Popó Freitas, he was no longer invited to be an MMA commentator on the Combate channel. However, his podcast and lectures are thriving, with over 300 interviews and 48 lectures for big Brazilian companies. Additionally, Werdum has received a proposal to return in a grappling match, with potential opponents including Ryan Bader or Frank Mir. "It's an exciting prospect, and I'm open to the challenge," Werdum said, reflecting on his potential return to the mat.
In conclusion, Fabricio Werdum's insights and opinions provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of MMA. His predictions, commentary, and analysis offer a unique perspective on the sport's current state and future prospects. Whether it's Despaigne's potential rise to stardom, Ngannou's upcoming bout, or Werdum's own journey, there's always something new and exciting to explore in the world of MMA.
