Gabriel Gonzaga (8-2) will fight Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1) in a heavyweight bout at UFC 80 in Newcastle, England, according to GracieMag.com.
Here’s a snip:
“… Marco Alvan, leader of Team Link [Gonzaga’s training camp], confirmed today exclusively … that the battle between the black belts will take place….”
It’s a match up that already happened back at “Jungle Fight 1″ in 2003 — Werdum finished “Napao” via technical knockout in the third round. To check out the fight click here.
Here’s some background on the showdown via Alvan:
“They fought at different times, Napao was 10kg lighter and was not originally on the card. The fight was offered to him at the last moment and they said there was a change in adversary and it would be Werdum. The two have progressed a lot and have what it takes to put on a great fight. Napao thinks the first fight was good and that this one will be even better. He accepted the proposal the minute it was offered.”
Gonzaga is coming off of a punishing technical knockout loss to UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture at UFC 74: “Respect” in August — a bout in which “The Natural” fractured the “Big Nose” (”Napao” translated) of Gonzaga.
Werdum — a standout in the PRIDE FC organization — will attempt to erase the memory of his disappointing Octagon debut loss to Andrei Arlovksi via unanimous decision at UFC 70: “Nations Collide” in April. It was panned as a snoozefest with the lone highlight being a Werdum bitch slap.
UFC 80 is set for the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, sometime in mid-January (the 12th, 19th and 26th have all been discussed as possible dates). There’s no word at this time on whether or not it will air on SpikeTV for free via tape delay.
Stay tuned. In the meantime check out the rumored UFC 80 fight card right here.
25 Comments »
This is a Heavyweight bout that I am looking forward to seeing!
good match up, if werdum fights like a bitch this time they should have him out of the UFC - the guy knows nothing about how to put on a good show - hope GG ends this standing
Is it just me, or does Fabricio look like he’s playing basketball in that picture?
BWAHAHA!! I forgot about the bitch slap. F’n hysterical.
I was very unimpressed with Werdum in his last match. All that BJJ skill but absolutely no takedowns. I admit I had never seen him fight in pride, but I was expecting more from him. I guess he went in with a game plan to taunt AA and hurt his feelings.
good match was wondering about when both were gonna fight, but this must be the main event on the card, i hope it’s on spike for free
[quote comment=”200999″]Is it just me, or does Fabricio look like he’s playing basketball in that picture?[/quote]
It’s not just you. Seriously, he does.
and damn I’m looking forward to this one.
This is not the main event. No main event as yet to be scheduled for UFC 80.
This is a good fight. It could have been better, like Gonzaga vs. arlovski. I dont really see anyway for werdum to win. Werdum is a ground wizard. The problem with that is gonzaga is great on the ground as well. striking has to go to Gonzaga. He is the much more powerful and dangerous striker of the 2. I think Gonzaga will bounce back and finish werdum via strikes, maybe ground n pound. Gonzaga by 2nd round TKO
I hope this fight is as good as the last 2 times they fought!
Both fights ended with a TKO. 1st fight Werdum won.. 2nd fight Gonzaga won.
..3rd Fight=??won…..
Cant wait to see the “Rubber-Match”..
I think Werdum has it!!
2nd round submission.
[quote comment=”201003″]good match was wondering about when both were gonna fight, but this must be the main event on the card, i hope it’s on spike for free[/quote]
NO WAY will this be a main event, are you kidding? That would make Bisping/Evans look just as big as a Couture/Fedor fight. This fight should be on the main card, and I am looking forward to it. Hopefully if Werdum uses the same strategy as he did against Arlovski, I really hope Gabe KO’s him quickly. If Werdum would look to take down one of his opponents, Arlovski or Gabe, I would think that he would much prefer to take down Arlovski. Since he didn’t I expect to see him keep this fight standing, unless Gabe feels the need to take him down. To quote John, “He is the much more powerful and dangerous striker of the 2. I think Gonzaga will bounce back and finish werdum via strikes, maybe ground n pound. Gonzaga by 2nd round TKO
” I agree, 100%
Hey, did anyone watch the video of their first fight? Gabe looked skinny! He added a lot of mass over the last 4 years.
[quote comment=”201019″]I hope this fight is as good as the last 2 times they fought!
Both fights ended with a TKO. 1st fight Werdum won.. 2nd fight Gonzaga won.
..3rd Fight=??won…..
Cant wait to see the “Rubber-Match”..
I think Werdum has it!!
2nd round submission.[/quote]
correction”
They only fought 1 time. with Werdum winning via TKO.
that is the only loss on Gonzaga’s record next to his loss to Randy.
MY BAD.
this sounds like a solid fight for the card, not main event stature though. Any one know what the main event might be, have any names bin thrown around
I am the one who sent you thei article. Thanks for the credit:
This is crap! Werdum is getting a fight and AA is still benched? What sense does that make?
[quote comment=”201070″]This is crap! Werdum is getting a fight and AA is still benched? What sense does that make?[/quote]
good point - very good point - AA deserves a title shot - right now !!
hell yeah, this is an awesome fight…i was wondering when werdum would surface again, this should be a war…gonzaga’s first loss was to werdum a few years ago, this is a good chance for gonzaga to redeem himself from that loss and for werdum its a chance for him to prove himself with a big win over an opponent that was just fighting for the belt a couple months ago…can’t wait to see this one…good job by joe silva
the main event at 80 will more than likely be a rampage title defense or if all were perfect in the world an arlovski/cro cop fight…
[quote comment=”201081″]the main event at 80 will more than likely be a rampage title defense or if all were perfect in the world an arlovski/cro cop fight…[/quote]
rampage wont be back until spring due to a hand injury but they could be pulling the wool over ouur eyes just to keep him for the superbowl weekend.im english but i think its february and with the good dec 29th card and silvas recent fight theres a lot of fighters out of contention.uve got rampage/henderson aqnd maybe tito who r gonna headline that card.
AA only has one fight left on his contract, which means no title shot without an extension. Dana has been trying to get him signed, but they have not reached any sort of financial agreement.
After watching their first fight, you understand just how important the role of an MMA referre really is, and never let a fighter be the ref. That fight should have beeen stopped sooner.
These guys are both heavier now which more than likely means will not be as exciting as the first, I hope im wrong
I am excited. Good fight. Crocop will be watching from wherever he is rooting for Werdum. And having horrible flashbacks and tremors.
Gonzaga win by KO 1st-2nd round. If he didn’t get his knose broken (acidentally-NOT by a strike) against Randy, the outcome could well have been very different. Gonzaga would be a good match up to finally get rid of Tim The YAWNiac Silvia
I think Gonzaga could well end up at the top of the tree in the next couple of years
HA I like how i spelt Knose…. OOPS lol Well it IS BIG
[quote comment=”201097″]AA only has one fight left on his contract, which means no title shot without an extension. Dana has been trying to get him signed, but they have not reached any sort of financial agreement.[/quote]
How long can Dana bench AA or any other fighter with 1 fight left on their deal?
yeeeeees sir