UFC 143: Roy Nelson vs Fabricio Werdum Preview and Prediction

Published on February 1st, 2012. | Written by Michael Finch | Filed under Editorials.

Fabricio Werdum - Photo by Brent Todd

Heavyweights will slug it out in the co-main event of UFC 143 as Roy Nelson takes on Fabricio Werdum. UFC 143 is headlined by Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit and will be taking place in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay events center. Befor the welterweights battle it out for the interim title, Jiu-Jitsu fighters with some notable hands will try and take a step up in an ever-growing UFC heavyweight division.

A well-rounded fighter and specimen, Roy Nelson has hammers in his hands and a ground game that is commonly unchallenged. Since winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 10, Nelson has gone 3-2 in the UFC, dropping back-to-back fights to Junior Dos Santos and Frank Mir. Debuting a smaller mid-section, he most recently TKO’d Cro Cop, giving him some job security. He will need to beat Werdum to get back into the top mix again.

Werdum, a Jiu-Jitsu ace, is making his second run in the UFC. He couldn’t make a ground battle in his recent bout with Alistair Overeem, and lost a decision despite finding some success in banging it out with the striker. This follows a shocking win over Fedor Emilienanko which skyrocketed Werdum in rankings. Werdum will have to avoid the power punches of Nelson, and despite not being a wrestler, take advantage of an exposed lack of take-down defense in Nelson’s game.

It is clear that Nelson is more dangerous on the feet, and that Werdum is more dangerous on the ground. It is not like either of them should fear the others strength though; Wedum very well may be able to competitively kick-box with Nelson, and it is also very possible that Nelson could survive with Werdum on the ground. The fight will come down to who implements their style of fighting the most, and whether Werdum can avoid a right-hand bomb from landing on his chin.

If Nelson can make this a brawl of tagging one another, I could see him earning a TKO. If Werdum can use an effective jab, accumulate his own damage on Nelson, take him down in a clinch and out-work him, I could see a decision going his way. It’s an odd fight, and a fairly tough call to make. I will have to side with the man who will more likely finish.

I will go with Nelson and predict that he finishes the fight by TKO in the second round.