Issue 130
July 2015
MMA’s history retold through FO’S archives. From the dullest fighter in the Pride grand prix to fan-favorite finisher, Fabricio Werdum has undergone an extraordinary transformation.
A lot can change in nine years. If you’d asked a fan to describe Fabricio Werdum back in 2006, there’s a good chance they’d have said he was boring. Ask now, and they’ll tell you about an offensive dynamo.
Back in 2006, Fighters Only too dubbed the BJJ black belt the ‘dullest’ fighter in the Pride Openweight Grand Prix. We bemoaned his negative tactics of retreating into the corner of the ring to neutralize opponent Alistair Overeem – and anesthetize the audience.
But in the following years – aided by a move to the States and a partnership with Kings MMA head coach Rafael Cordeiro – the Brazilian has evolved from a one-dimensional grappler to one of the most dynamic attractions in the heavyweight division.
His remarkable renaissance began with a staggering first-round triangle choke to hand Fedor Emelianenko the first ‘real’ loss of his career. Then, with his stock at an all-time high, ‘Vai Cavalo’ (‘Go Horse’ in Portuguese) started to let his fists and feet do the talking to gallop towards a UFC heavyweight title shot.
Heavy-handed defeats of Roy Nelson and Travis Browne showed you can teach an old horse new tricks, but the flying knee finish of iron-jawed Mark Hunt confirmed his transformation from timid butt-scooter to wrecking machine was complete. With his confidence higher than ever he now has his sights set on ‘breaking’ UFC champ Cain Velasquez and taking away his title.
JULY 2006 HEADLINES
Silva Signing
When you picked up your July 2006 copy of FO, you’d have read that Anderson Silva had signed with the UFC. This was to be one of the most important deals in MMA history. It was the start of ‘The Spider’s record-breaking Octagon journey that established him as many people’s all-time number-one pound-for-pound fighter. The world now waits to hear the verdict on his PED bust and whether that reputation might be tarnished forever.
Price of greatness
Nine years ago, FO remembered Mark Coleman’s 1997 ‘Fight of the Year’ against Maurice Smith. It was one of many punishing defeats in a Hall of Fame career that took a toll on him in an era lacking the handsome paychecks of today. Countless wars left him huge medical bills for hip surgery, but in one of the feel-good stories of this year, the MMA world rallied behind the ‘The Hammer’ to raise $47,000 and counting through crowd funding for a life-changing operation.
NOSTRADAMMAUS
Coach Georges
FO got the scoop on The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback, long before any official announcements. We broke the news that the cast members were likely to be former Octagon stars, and Matt Serra was a strong candidate. We also revealed Georges St Pierre would be one of his coaches. What we didn’t know was ‘The Terra’ would win the welterweight bracket, then KO GSP to take the title after the show for the biggest upset in UFC championship history.
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