Fabricio Werdum (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Fabricio Werdum took several punishing shots from Mark Hunt tonight at UFC 180, but the heavyweight managed to recover and score a highlight reel stoppage.

Early on, Hunt sent Werdum to the canvas with a thumping right hand, but opted not to engage the jiu-jitsu guru on the ground. Later in the round, the fight spilled to the ground again, and Hunt was able to work his way out from Werdum’s guard.

In round two, Werdum absorbed some hard punches from Hunt once more, but out of nowhere, he blasted the heavyweight with a crushing knee. Hunt attempted to cover up, as Werdum flurried with punches from above, but eventually the fight was stopped.

With the win, Werdum secured the promotion’s interim heavyweight title, and is expected to face champion Cain Velasquez in 2015.

Here are the results for UFC 180, which was hosted by the Mexico City Arena.

Interim Heavyweight Championship

Fabricio Werdum def. Mark Hunt via TKO (knee and punches) R2, 2:27

Kelvin Gastelum def. Jake Ellenberger via submission (rear-naked-choke) R1, 4:46

Ricardo Lamas def. Dennis Bermudez via submission (guillotine choke) R1, 3:18

Augusto Montano def. Chris Heatherly via TKO (knees) R1, 4:50

TUF: Latin America Featherweight Final

Yair Rodriguez def. Leonardo Morales via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

TUF: Latin America Bantamweight Final

Alejandro Perez def.  Jose Quinonez via unanimous decision (29-26, 29-26, 28-27)

Jessica Eye def. Leslie Smith via TKO (due to doctor’s stoppage) R2, 1:30

Gabriel Benitez def. Humberto Brown via technical submission (guillotine choke) R3, 0:30

Henry Briones def. Guido Cannetti via submission (rear-naked choke) R2, 1:44

Marco Beltran def. Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)