Fabricio Werdum (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Fabricio Werdum has consistently demonstrated in recent years that he’s far more than just a world class grappler, and on Saturday, he reminded people of that fact in very violent fashion.

Werdum did absorb some punishing shots from Mark Hunt during their memorable, UFC 180 bout, but in round two, he blasted the feared striker with well timed, flying knee. The main event bout was stopped shortly thereafter, as Werdum punished Hunt with follow up punches.

While speaking to FOX Sports 2 after the event, Werdum offered this insight into the strategy behind the fight winning technique (quote via FOX Sports 2 press release):

“I faked a takedown and got the knee. He knew I was going to take him down, so I faked one.”

And how does Werdum feel? Having secured the promotion’s interim heavyweight title?

“This is a special one. I’ve waiting a long time for this one. I’m very happy. He punched very hard. I had two months preparing for this here in Mexico. He was very strong in the first round and he’s very smart guy.  I watched him in K1 and I trained very hard.”

The victory was the latest milestone in Werdum’s accomplished career, which at one point, saw him exit the UFC in 2008. After the event, UFC President Dana White relayed the following to FOX Sports 2, about Werdum’s successful return to the promotion.

“That’s the way it works. You fight in the big show and lose, get cut, go fight in other organizations and make it back some day. At the time, I never thought Fabricio would be back, but that’s how it works.”

Up next, Werdum is expected to face Cain Velasquez in early 2015, when the champion is fully recovered from a knee injury.