New champ Werdum seems content waiting for Velasquez rematch
If heavyweight Stipe Miocic was upset at the thought that someone else would get the next shot at the UFC belt, he likely won't be happy to hear what new champion Fabricio Werdum's coach had to say to MMA Fighting, Monday. Same goes for former champ Andrei Arlovski.
You see, UFC president Dana White has said that either Miocic or Arlovski will get to fight for the heavyweight title against Werdum, next. However, the Brazilian himself offered an immediate rematch to the man he beat for the belt -- Cain Velasquez -- in the Octagon, after his third-round submission victory at UFC 188.
Now, Werdum's head coach, Rafael Cordeiro, is picking up that same line. If it is up to the new champion and his head coach (and one would have to believe they'd have at least some say in the matter), Werdum vs. Velasquez II will be up next.
"It's hard to say names," the Kings MMA coach told Ariel Helwani.
"I believe Cain deserves a rematch because of his history as a champion. He was great. He did things in the heavyweight division nobody did, and Fabricio will start building his history in the heavyweight division...If somebody has to fight, I believe it's Cain. He deserves [it]. I'm okay with the rematch, no problem. For everything he did in the heavyweight division, I believe he deserves a rematch."
There's no doubt that Werdum and his camp believe they have Velasquez's number. They did leading up to the fight, and after battering and submitting the AKA fighter, their confidence is sure to be even higher.
Additionally, a rematch with the popular Velasquez would be the biggest money fight for Werdum. That marketability would have to appeal to the UFC, as well, despite what White has said regarding Miocic and Arlovski.
There's a whole lot up in the air, of course. Namely, Velasquez and Werdum's respective health meters.
Cain should take some time off to heal before heading into another camp. It's possible that he took more damage to the head in his fight against Werdum than at any other point in his career.
That alone deserves a few months of no contact, and plenty of rest. As for Werdum, he's got one of those pesky precautionary medical suspensions -- a possible six month one, to be exact -- and his coach brought that issue up.
"He has a couple injuries now. He got a six-month suspension," Cordeiro said.
"Now he's in Cancun with his wife and daughters, I believe next week he will be back. As soon as he's back, we will know how long he wants to stay out. He has a couple injuries. His knee is hurt, so we have to know now."
Werdum's medical suspension doesn't guarantee that he'll actually be out of action for six months, just that unless a specialist clears him, he'll have to sit out six months. It may be telling of their negotiating position that his coach spoke as if the suspension will not necessarily last six months.
Chances are, the champion's team is waiting for word on Velasquez's health almost as eagerly as they want to know where Werdum's injuries stand.
If Velasquez chooses to jump right back into training, the UFC has a scheduled event in Monterrey, Mexico on November 21, and you'd best believe they'd love to promote another show with Cain on the card. Two Spanish-speaking fighters like Velasquez and Werdum, to say nothing of Cain's hero status among Mexican MMA fans, would ensure a successful Monterrey event for the promotion.
Werdum's medical suspension gives him some time to try and push for an immediate rematch with Velasquez, if the former champ or the UFC need any extra convincing. For his part, Velasquez has not said much about the prospect of fighting Werdum again, publicly.
Nothing Werdum has done or said so far would indicate that he has much interest in fighting a lot longer in his career, or fighting many more people other than the big names like Velasquez. Prior to UFC 188, the 37-year-old said that he may only have a few fights left in him, and mentioned the plan to beat Cain, rematch him, beat him again and then walk away soon after.
It would appear that he is sticking to that plan, so far. Time will tell, however, and we'll keep you posted with developments in this story as they occur.
