Fighters Only

Issue 099

March 2013

The double-dangerous 16-5-1 UFC heavyweight has evolved from grapple god, to Muay Thai monarch. FO unlocks his best moves for you

TRIANGLE-ARMBAR

Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Fabricio Werdum implements a classic, no-frills style of BJJ. His long legs lend themselves to playing guard, particularly advantageous for the triangle choke, and three of his eight submission wins have come via triangle-armbar. Werdum submitted Kristof Midoux, Roman Zentsov and notably handed the legendary former Pride heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko his first loss, all with that same move.

STRIKEFORCE: FEDOR VS WERDUM, FEDOR EMELIANENKO

Werdum used this classic combination double attack to topple and tap ‘Last Emperor’ Emelianenko in 2010. The combination works when the defender tries to posture up out of the triangle choke, leaving the arm vulnerable.

LOW LEG TACKLE

Werdum likes to shoot low, and often finishes his takedowns with a trip, allowing him to conserve energy and cover against the scramble.

DOUBLE-TRIP FINISH: STRIKEFORCE: OVEREEM VS WERDUM, ALISTAIR OVEREEM

In his second fight with Alistair Overeem, in 2011, Werdum finished the double-leg with an outside trip.

INSIDE-TRIP FINISH: UFC 85, BRANDON VERA

‘Vai Cavalo’ took Brandon Vera down against the fence with a beautiful inside trip in London in 2008.

MUAY THAI KNEES

At the start of Werdum’s MMA career he was armed only with his submission ability. As formidable as his BJJ is, Werdum knew he needed to round out his skill-set. A move to Chute Boxe, and then later joining award-winning Muay Thai trainer Rafael Cordeiro in the US, saw Werdum develop powerful kicks and knees.

UFC 143, ROY NELSON

Werdum utilised the classic Chute Boxe clinch-and-knee style against Roy Nelson at UFC 143, dominating the shorter man with knees from the outside using double and single-collar ties.

LONG KNEE

When Nelson covered up, Werdum grabbed wrist controls and pulled him into the knee.