UFC heavyweight Cain Velasquez predicts a war in Mexico City in unification bout with Fabricio Werdum

Champion meets champion on Saturday, as Cain Velasquez prepares for arguably the toughest challenge of his heavyweight title rein
Werdum claims he is ‘the best in the world’ and will look to put the dominant undisputed champion on his back
The Brazilian also believes that Velasquez’s time away from the sport will have an impact on the bout
Former lightweight champions Gil Melendez and Eddie Alvarez also finally take their place on the bill

Published:
00:24 GMT, 13 June 2015

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Updated:
00:33 GMT, 13 June 2015

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The pair were originally due to meet in November at UFC 180, but at the last minute Mark Hunt was forced to step in for Cain Velasquez, in his scheduled championship bout with Fabricio Werdum.

Having knocked ‘The Super Samoan’ out to claim the interim UFC heavyweight title that night, Fabricio Werdum will finally get his shot at the undisputed champion, Velasquez, on Saturday night. And as far as Velasquez is concerned, the injury he sustained to his knee ahead of UFC 180 will have no impact on his performance.

‘I’m just excited to be healthy, active and to be back,’ claimed the champion. ‘It was bittersweet watching that main event at UFC 180. I wanted to be fighting. The people there have shown me a lot of support. I cannot wait to go down there to give them a good show.

Cain Velasquez (left) squares up to Fabricio Werdum during the 188 weigh-in in Mexico on Friday

‘The time off gives the body time to heal. I’m just glad I got it all fixed. I feel great and my body feels great. The time off hasn’t affected me mentally. I kept my mind busy with other stuff.’

Although many felt Velasquez would be a huge omission from the first Mexico City card, it seemed as though the Mexican people could relate to Fabricio Werdum just as much as Velasquez, whose parents hail from the country. Werdum’s superior grasp of the Spanish language and jovial demeanour are the least of the dominant heavyweight’s worries ahead of Saturday night though.

‘I think we both match up well,’ continued Velasquez. ‘It doesn’t matter where the fight goes, he is always dangerous. He is a guy that does everything. He punches, kicks, and is one of the best on the ground. He is good everywhere. I always predict a war. This is no different.’

Velasquez flexes as he stands on the scale during the UFC 188 preamble at Arena Ciudad de Mexico

Werdum has claimed that despite his reputation as one of the best submission fighters in the world, he plans to go at Velasquez straight from the bell. According to the Brazilian, everyone will know that he is the ‘best in the world’ after the UFC 188 main event.

‘I don’t like when people say I am just a jiu jitsu fighter: I am a complete fighter,’ explained Werdum. ‘I am very confident. I won’t wait for Cain. I will go and try to put my strategy on him. I want to see Cain with his back on the ground. He is good on top, but I want to see him when he is on the ground. I think I am the best fighter in the world.’

Werdum also discussed how he feels Velasquez’s time away from the sport could factor into the bout and how he has visualised himself winning the belt.

Werdum says he will go after Velasquez straight from the bell despite his opponent’s submission skills

‘Cain Velasquez has been away for a long time. He is a nice fighter, but I think I have five fights since he last fought. That is definitely going to be an advantage for me. He has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. I have no pressure.

‘I have been training in Mexico in the high altitude for one month, so I am ready for this. I already visualised myself unifying the belts. I already see myself giving an interview to Joe Rogan as the new heavyweight champion of the world.’

Meanwhile the co-main event on Saturday see two fighters of Mexican descent – Gil Melendez and Eddie Alvarez – trade leather, in what could be the most highly anticipated lightweight clash of all time.

Velasquez gets through some pad work in front of the assembled media during his open training session

The idea of the two meeting has been batted around amongst fans and pundits for many years, with both fighters declaring their potential interest in the matchup.

Both California natives, Melendez and Alvarez were two of the most promising 155ers in the world and were crowned champions of two different promotions in their fledgling years.

Now, with both fighting under the UFC banner, fans are sure to be enthralled when the pair meet in the Octagon, in what should be a hugely passionate affair.

Watch UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum live on BT Sport 1 from 1am BST on the morning of Sunday, June 14 or catch the Early Prelims from 11:30pm BST on Saturday, exclusively on UFC Fight Pass