Werdum defeats Nogueira to line up potential title shot
by Ben Heather @benheather
The main event on Saturday night was an all Brazilian affair as the coaches on the recent TUF Brazil 2 show went in to battle. This fight was a rematch, the pair originally fought each other while they were both fighting for Pride in 2006. Now seven years later would the outcome be different and would Werdum be able to get revenge.
Werdum came in to the fight of the back of a two fight win streak, that same win streak is since his UFC return. He dominated both Roy Nelson and Mike Russow and now was looking to do the same against Big Nog.
Big Nog came in to the fight looking to get back to back wins on his record for the first time since UFC 81 in February '08. Since then he has won a fight, then lost the next most recently defeating Dave Herman via armbar at UFC 153.
Big Nog came out putting pressure on Werdum at close range with boxing and trying to grab the clinch, however it was Werdum who surprisingly got the takedowns by grabbing a single leg takedown and getting Nogueira to the mat. Both men then grappled on the floor and the fight was going back and forth as the two heavyweights were scrambling to get control.
Nogueira kept switching up how he had Werdum in his guard going from full guard to half guard and back again until he got hold of Werdum's knee and was able to get back to his feet. In the process of getting up he did get caught with a few punches and knee.
In the second round, during yet another scramble, Werdum took Nog's back and straight away got one hook in, however Werdum could not get the second hook in he was looking for as Big Nog blocked the attempts with his right hand.
Werdum though was not to be stopped as he got his leg all the way over Big Nog's shoulder and cranked on the arm in an inverted armbar. The end of the fight was a little confusing as Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight, but Nogueira hadn't tapped. It wasn't until Bruce Buffer announced that the fight was ruled a verbal submission and things became a little clearer.
Big Nog did not appear to verbally submit but Werdum let go of the hold at the same time Yamasaki came in to stop the fight. Also, Big Nog did not contest the decision.
A very fitting way to end the night full of some of the best BJJ anyone could ever want to see and I think it once and for all put to bed the question of.... Does BJJ actually work??
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