Stipe Miocic (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

UFC 198 will feature the first title defense of Fabricio Werdum, as the heavyweight champion will take on rising contender, Stipe Miocic. In Werdum, Miocic will face one of the top submission artists in all of MMA, who has also developed a comprehensive and dangerous striking game. In Miocic, the champion will battle an athletic wrestler, who also has fast and heavy hands.

In the latest edition of “UFC Tonight“, the light-heavyweight champ Cormier was asked to weigh-in on Saturday’s main event. Here is some of what “DC” had to say (quote via FOX Sports 1 press release):

“Stipe has got all the skills. He’s got great wrestling, boxing, cardio, and he’s a big guy who’s wanted this fight. But that pressure he applies can leave him in the Fabricio Werdum wheelhouse. The champion can do it all. He’s so long, he can reach and lock in a clinch behind the head, knee to the body or knee to the face, or take you down. He’s submitted some of the greatest heavyweights ever. This is Werdum’s jiu-jitsu vs. Stipe’s speed. Werdum will be a step behind, but that won’t be the determining factor in this fight.”

“We know the wrestling got him here, but his striking is what brought him to the top of the division,” Cormier added, while discussing the keys to a Miocic victory. “He needs to stick and move. He needs to use his boxing. He’s a very good boxer. He has fast, quick punches and combinations. But most important, his takedowns need to be smart. If he misses it, Werdum can pounce on him. He needs to take smart takedowns.”

Miocic’s title shot comes after he quickly stopped Andrei Arlovski in January. Werdum became champion last June, by submitting Cormier’s teammate, Cain Velasquez.

UFC 198 will be hosted by Curitiba, Brazil.