Fabricio Werdum, a retired former UFC heavyweight champion, has some strong opinions on the MMA landscape, particularly regarding the recent performance of Robelis Despaigne and the state of the UFC heavyweight division. In this article, I'll delve into his insights and commentary, offering a fresh perspective on these topics.
A New MMA Star?
Werdum is impressed by Robelis Despaigne's performance against Junior dos Santos, which he believes could be a turning point for the Cuban striker. Despaigne's first-round KO victory over dos Santos, a former foe of Werdum's, caught the eye of the former champ. He thinks Despaigne deserves more recognition and should be favored over Francis Ngannou in a future bout.
"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. He has a lot of reach, speed, and precision, which makes him a terrible matchup for Ngannou. I'm 99% sure he'll beat Ngannou by knockout," Werdum stated confidently.
However, Werdum's enthusiasm for Despaigne's potential is not shared by everyone. He criticizes Netflix for pairing Despaigne with Ngannou, suggesting that the Cuban striker might not be a suitable opponent for the heavyweight champion.
The State of the UFC Heavyweight Division
Werdum also weighs in on the current state of the UFC heavyweight division, expressing his disappointment with the salary figures released from the Most Valuable Promotions event. He believes that dos Santos' $80,000 payout for his fight against Despaigne was unjust, especially considering his former status as a UFC heavyweight champion.
"I thought they started with great purses, but the only one that didn't make any sense to me was ‘Cigano's.’ Two years ago, he fought me for $800,000 or $1 million at Gamebred Fighting Championship. It doesn't make sense for a former UFC heavyweight champion to fight for $80,000. There's definitely an error there," Werdum remarked.
Werdum also comments on the inclusion of a fighter named Hokit in the UFC, questioning his relevance to the sport. He believes Hokit doesn't represent MMA and compares him unfavorably to other fighters like Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen, who engage in smart trash talk.
The Future of MMA and Personal Reflections
Looking ahead, Werdum speculates about the future of MMA, including the possibility of a grappling match. He reveals that he received a proposal to return to grappling and speculates that potential opponents could include Ryan Bader or Frank Mir.
"I'm open to the idea of returning to grappling, but I haven't made any concrete plans yet. It would be exciting to test my skills against some of the best grapplers in the sport," Werdum said.
In conclusion, Fabricio Werdum's insights offer a fresh perspective on the MMA landscape, blending factual observations with personal commentary and analysis. His opinions are thought-provoking and provide a unique insight into the world of MMA, making him an engaging commentator and analyst.
