Werdum will fight Mark Hunt for a chance to win the heavyweight interim belt. Photo: Josh Hedges / Zuffa via Getty Images LCC
Brazil has a new UFC champion.
With this Saturday, Nov. 15, TKO victory over New Zealand’s Mark Hunt, Fabricio Werdum became the 10th fighter from the country to win an UFC belt.
First round was scary.
Werdum was tagged with at least two of Hunt’s powerful punches and was unable to work his Jiu-Jitsu when the fight went to the ground.
His corner told him that he had lost the first 5 minutes and that he should not stand in front of Hunt.
Round 2 started the same way, with both keeping the distance and going for that one punch or kick.
Half way into it, Hunt went for a takedown and Werdum took the opportunity to land a knee to the head.
Hunt went down and the Brazilian finished the fight with a series of punches on the ground.
The ref stepped in and the interim belt had an owner.
“He hit me hard in the first round, but this was my moment! I trained hard and stayed away from my family two whole months to get used to the altitude. This was my moment,” said Werdum.
After that, he spoke about the inevitable fight with the other champion, Cain Velasquez: “I respect him and I know that we take our bodies to the limit. I want this fight to happen here in Mexico City,” said Fabricio.
Velasquez, seated in the first row, just nodded in agreement.
With tonight’s win, Werdum became the first fighter ever to win an UFC belt, an ADCC gold medal and the IBJJF World Championship as a black belt.
In the co-main event of the night, Kevin Gastelum got a late RNC on rd1 to beat Jake Ellenberger.
In the two TUF Latin America finals, Alejandro Perez got a UD win over Jose Quinonez and Yair Rodriguez also got a UD win over Leo Moralez.
Here are the full results of the night.
UFC 180: Werdum vs. Hunt
November 15, 2014
Mexico City, Mexico
Main Card (on Pay-Per-View)
Fabricio Werdum def. Mark Hunt via TKO (knee and punches) at 2:27 of Rd2
Kelvin Gastelum def. Jake Ellenberger via submission (RNC) at 4:46 of Rd1
Ricardo Lamas def. Dennis Bermudez via submission (guillotine) at 3:18 of Rd1
Augusto Dodger Montano def. Chris Heatherly via TKO (knees) at 4:50 of Rd1
Héctor Urbina def. Edgar Garcia via submission (guillotine) at 3:38 of Rd1
Prelims on FOX Sports 1:
Yair Rodriguez def. Leonardo Morales via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Alejandro Perez def. Jose Quinonez via unanimous decision (29-26×2, 28-27)
Jessica Eye def. Leslie Smith via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:31 of Rd2
Gabriel Benitez def. Humberto Brown via submission (guillotine) at 0:30 of Rd3
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:
Henry Briones def. Guido Cannetti via submission (RNC) at 1:44 of Rd2
Marco Beltran def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28×3)