UFC 180 Results: Fabricio Werdum TKOs Mark Hunt, Earns Interim Heavyweight Title
We have a new title holder in the UFC.
Fabricio Werdum defeated Mark Hunt in the main event at UFC 180 on Saturday in Mexico City, and is now the UFC interim heavyweight champion.
Werdum cracked Hunt with a flying knee, finishing the “Super Samoan” on the ground with strikes via technical knockout at 2:27 of Round 2.
“This belt is for my daughters, wife, family and team,” Werdum said, moments after UFC President Dana White wrapped the championship title around his waist.
Hunt dropped Werdum early in the first with a right hand. Hunt then took Werdum down and worked strikes from guard for a length of time. Hunt came back to his feet where he shook his opponent with more punches until the end of the round.
Hunt again dropped his foe with a punch early in the second round, but Werdum quickly returned to the feet. It was clear that Hunt was looking for the knockout blow, throwing power punches at every moment he had the opportunity.
Werdum was also throwing wild strikes, attempting a few spinning hook kicks. But it was a flying knee that landed flush for the Brazilian, dropping Hunt on his back. Werdum pursued and landed a number of hammer fists until the referee pulled him off for the TKO victory.
The win on Saturday puts Werdum in a place where he'll have the opportunity to unify the heavyweight belts with division champ Cain Velasquez, whom he was supposed to face at UFC 180 before the title holder was forced to withdraw due to injury. A date and time will be announced by officials in the near future.
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