Tag: Fabricio Werdum

Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 results: Junior Dos Santos bloodies Fabricio Werdum in bizarre split decision

A judge scored the main event of Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 for Fabricio Werdum, but Junior Dos Santos rightfully walked away with the win.

For the second occasion, former UFC heavyweight champions [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and Fabricio Werdum met inside a cage. This time there were no gloves shrouding their fists, but once again, Dos Santos would emerge the victor.

The bareknuckle MMA bout headlined Gamebread Bareknuckle 5, which took place Friday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. After three rounds of action, Dos Santos earned two 30-27 scorecards from the cageside judges. Somehow, a judge thought Werdum won two rounds with a 28-29 score, causing the official result to be a split decision.

After feeling each other out in the opening moments, Werdum got the action started with a high kick that Dos Santos blocked. They then traded leg kicks, but Dos Santos knocked Werdum off his feet. Not rushing the action, he allowed Werdum to get back up and then Dos Santos began stalking forward, landing some quick left jabs, which would prove to be the weapon of choice throughout the fight.

During a takedown sequence toward the end of the first round, a cut was opened over the right of Werdum. Dos Santos then clipped Werdum with a right hand that sent him to the canvas.

Werdum struggled to connect with strikes and complete takedowns as Dos Santos was very sharp defensively. Aside from a nice right hand in the second round, Werdum spent most of the fight watching out for fast punches and hard kicks incoming from his opponent.

Later in the fight, a cut was opened over the left eye of Werdum, causing the referee to step in and look closely with concern.

In what felt like a clear victory for Dos Santos, somehow one judge caused eyebrows to raise as the first score that was read by the announcer was a 29-28 in Werdum’s favor. Sanity was restored when the next two scores announced were 30-27s for Dos Santos.

The matchup marked a return to action for both heavyweights following lengthy periods of inactivity. Dos Santos was last in action over 15 months ago, when his shoulder popped out at Eagle FC 47, leading to a TKO loss vs. Yorgan de Castro. Werdum’s previous appearance was under the PFL banner 28 months ago, but his fight against Renan Ferreira has since been overturned to a no contest.

The bout was the second meeting between Dos Santos and Werdum. They first fought at UFC 90 in 2008, where Dos Santos stopped Werdum with punches in the first round. It was also the first time both fighters competed bareknuckle.

You can watch a full replay of the fight in the video above.

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Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 live stream and official results

Watch the live stream of Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 and keep up with live official results right here on MMA Junkie.

Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 took place Friday and MMA Junkie kept you covered with a live stream and official results.

The bareknuckle MMA event took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., and featured a heavyweight showdown between a pair of former UFC champions [autotag]Junior dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag].

The matchup marked a return to action for both heavyweight legends following lengthy periods of inactivity. Dos Santos was last in action over 15 months ago, when his shoulder popped out at Eagle FC 47, leading to a TKO loss vs. Yorgan de Castro. Werdum’s last appearance was under the PFL banner 28 months ago, but his fight against Renan Ferreira has since been overturned to a no contest.

It was also the second meeting between Dos Santos and Werdum, as they first met at UFC 90 in 2008, and the first bareknuckle competition for both fighters.

Aside from the marquee bout, the event featured a number of UFC veterans in action including Maki Pitolo, Brandon Jenkins, Anthony Njokuani, Irwin Rivera, Joshua Weems and Brandon Davis.

You can watch a replay of the full event in the video above and check out the official results below.

Full results of Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 include:

  • Junior Dos Santos def. Fabricio Werdum via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Joel Bauman def. Maki Pitolo via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:36
  • Joshua Weems def. Irwin Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ago Huskic def. Brandon Davis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Anthony Njokuani def. Brandon Jenkins via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Joey Ruquet def. Joe Penafiel via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:01
  • Jhonasky Sojo def. Tyler Hill via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:52
  • Reggie Northrup def. Cody Herbert via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Shahzaib Rind def. Carlos Guerra via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:40
  • Juan Alvarez def. Christopher Wingate via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 0:13

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Fabricio Werdum wanted Vale Tudo rules for Junior Dos Santos fight at Gamebred Bareknuckle 5

Fabricio Werdum wanted to go all in against Junior Dos Santos at Gamebred Bareknuckle 5 – and he *really* meant all in.

[autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] wanted to go all in against Junior Dos Santos – and he really meant all in.

Werdum returns to action Friday night as he takes on fellow former UFC heavyweight champion Dos Santos in the main event of Gamebred Bareknuckle 5.

Yes, that’s right, bareknuckle MMA. And although this might be too far for some fighters, Werdum actually wanted to take things a step further and fight Dos Santos under Vale Tudo rules – a popular fighting style that preceded MMA where almost everything goes.

“The first time I saw (Jorge) Masvidal, which was like two months ago in Las Vegas, I told him that I wanted to do Vale Tudo so we could headbutt, do soccer kicks, stomps, everything,” Werdum told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “However, he told me that there wasn’t enough time to look into changing the rules. But anyway, I do like this idea.

“I think that MMA gloves are so small that it doesn’t make a difference. It’s the same. It’s the same to have gloves or no gloves. Now, if it’s a boxing glove, then you’ve got a difference. But I do like this idea.”

The bout against Dos Santos marks the first time Werdum will fight since May 2021 when he originally lost by TKO to Renan Ferreira under the PFL banner. The result would later get overturned to a no contest after the New Jersey Athletic Commission determined Ferreira tapped out to a triangle choke applied by Werdum before the finish.

Werdum, now 46, isn’t sure if he’ll fight beyond Friday. He feels good and healthy, but there are other factors that could sway him away from competition.

“If it was up to my wife, Karine, I wouldn’t fight,” Werdum said. “She’s sick of me fighting and being away from home. It’s been two months since I haven’t seen my family and my wife, so I do need to think about that. I’m 46 years old, but I do feel great.

“I needed that break of being two years plus without fighting because I wanted to do this. This was for me. And I’m good. My brain is good. I’m not affected or have any big injuries. To be honest, I feel good. However, I do need to think about it. Right now I only have this fight in mind on Sept. 8 and then after I’ll think about something else. I think, I don’t know. I can’t say right now I’m retiring.

“If there’s a good offer like this one, this offer I couldn’t say no. I would’ve been crazy if I would’ve said no thanks because the offer was really good. And not only that, I enjoy fighting. Fighting is what I do. I have other businesses, but this is what I know how to do best.”

Werdum confirmed to MMA Junkie that he’s no longer under contract with PFL, but he doesn’t rule out a return.

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Video: Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum in great physical shape at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA faceoff

Junior Dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum came face-to-face ahead of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA – two of eight UFC alumni on the card.

Former UFC heavyweight champions [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] squared off for the final time ahead of their main event fight at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA – and they both appeared to be in great physical shape.

Other UFC alumni present at the faceoffs, set to compete Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., included [autotag]Brandon Jenkins[/autotag], [autotag]Anthony Njokuani[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag], [autotag]Joshua Weems[/autotag], [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag], and [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag].

Of course, promoter Jorge Masvidal was on hand, too, as he squared off each pairing of fighters. The event will stream live and free on MMA Junkie.

Dos Santos and Werdum rematch – without gloves – nearly 15 years after they fought one another at UFC 90 in October 2008. As a heavy underdog, Dos Santos knocked out Werdum in 81 seconds and kicked off a run in the promotion that would lead directly to the heavyweight title.

The winner of Saturday’s fight will face the winner of the promotion’s inaugural heavyweight title bout between Roy Nelson and Alan Belcher, which takes place Oct. 28 at a date and location to be announced.

The full Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA lineup includes:

  • Junior Dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum
  • Joel Bauman vs. Maki Pitolo
  • Irwin Rivera vs. Joshua Weems
  • Brandon Davis vs. Ago Huskic
  • Brandon Jenkins vs. Anthony Njokuani
  • Joe Penafiel vs. Joey Ruquet
  • Tyler Hill vs. Jhonasky Soto
  • Corey Herbert vs. Reggie Northrup
  • Juan Alvarez vs. Chase Wingate
  • Carlos Guerra vs. Shahzaib Rindh

UFC alums Roy Nelson, Alan Belcher to fight for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight title

According to Jorge Masvidal, the winner of Junior Dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum will face the winner of Roy Nelson vs. Alan Belcher.

Two days out from a bareknuckle battle between former UFC heavyweight champions [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag], Gamebred Boxing promoter Jorge Masvidal has announced elevated stakes.

Dos Santos and Werdum will meet in a gloveless MMA fight Friday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The winner, Masvidal revealed at a news conference Wednesday, will face the winner of another heavyweight bareknuckle MMA fight, [autotag]Alan Belcher[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Roy Nelson[/autotag], freshly minted for an Oct. 28 show at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss.

Nelson vs. Belcher will be for the promotion’s heavyweight title. No other fights have been announced for the Oct. 28 event at this time.

“The winner of that will face the winner of this sometime in January, we’re hopeful,” Masvidal said. “Hard Rock Stadium. Hard Rock Casino. We’ll keep these guys busy, just as we promised them. That’s f*cking huge news. We’re excited.”

Masvidal also revealed plans to hold an event in December.

Nelson headlined a Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA event in May when he knocked out bareknuckle boxing standout Dillon Cleckler in Round 1. The competition was Nelson’s first since his Bellator departure in late 2020. Nelson competed in the UFC from 2010-2017 and compiled a 9-10 promotional record.

In joining Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, Belcher has departed BKFC, a promotion he was a part of since 2021. Belcher competed in the UFC from 2006-2013 and compiled a 9-6 promotional record, largely at middleweight. After eight years away from competition, Belcher returned as a heavyweight and has yet to lose. Belcher was 4-0 under the BKFC banner while also competing outside the promotion in traditional boxing where he won five pro bout and one exhibition.

Photos: Junior Dos Santos, Fabricio Werdum face off at Gamebred Bareknuckle press conference

Check out these photos of Junior Dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum facing off ahead of their Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA fight.

Check out these photos of former UFC heavyweight champions [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] facing off ahead of their Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA fight at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. (Photos courtesy of Gamebred Bareknuckle)

UFC veterans in MMA, bareknuckle MMA and kickboxing action Sept. 7-9

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels to Australia for UFC 293.

The pay-per-view event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney features a middleweight title fight between champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag].

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA, bareknuckle MMA and kickboxing this week from Sept. 7-9.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Junior dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum booked for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 5

A rematch between former UFC champs Junior dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum has been booked for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 5 in September.

[autotag]Junior dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] are running it back, but with a twist.

The two former UFC heavyweight champions are set to battle a second time, but in this go with slightly different rules than their UFC 90 fight back in 2008. Dos Santos and Werdum will fight under bareknuckle MMA rules, rather than traditional MMA with gloves.

This bout will go down in the main event of a Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 5, set to go down on Sept. 8 at the VySar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

The news was first reported by Sherdog and later confirmed by MMA Junkie through sources.

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Dos Santos, 39, hasn’t competed since suffering a shoulder injury that cost him a TKO loss to Yorgan De Castro back in May 2022 at Eagle FC 47 in Miami. Prior to that, the Brazilian was competing inside the octagon. His loss to De Castro is his first and only fight so far since his UFC release.

On the other hand, Werdum was last seen in May 2021 when he debuted for PFL. Originally a TKO loss to Renan Ferreira, Werdum had his defeat overturned to a no contest after Ferreira appeared to tap out from submission before the finish. Prior to that bout, Werdum submitted Alexander Gustafsson to close his UFC career back in the summer of 2020.

Here is the current card for Gamebred Bareknuckle 5:

  • Junior Dos Santos vs. Fabricio Werdum
  • Renan Barao vs. Sean Soriano
  • Brandon Jenkins vs. Anthony Njokuani
  • Brandon Davis vs. TBD
  • Irwin Rivera vs. Joshua Weems

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‘Why not?’: Rafael Cordeiro sold on Fabricio Werdum vs. Francis Ngannou in PFL clash of former UFC champs

Fabricio Werdum’s longtime coach would like to see the former UFC champ take on Francis Ngannou in the PFL.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Longtime MMA coach [autotag]Rafael Cordeiro[/autotag] would like to see one of his pupils get the first crack at [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] under the PFL banner.

Cordeiro, the founder of Kings MMA, lead [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] to the UFC heavyweight title, and believes “Vai Cavalo” would be the right man to take on PFL newcomer Ngannou in his first bout with the promotion. Werdum joined the PFL in 2021 and has made one appearance thus far.

“Why not?” Cordeiro told MMA Junkie Radio. “Fabricio, he was a former UFC champ. His background, everybody knows his history, so why not? PFL needs fights like that.”

Werdum’s first appearance in the PFL came in May 2021 against Renan Ferreira. The fight was a controversial one, because Werdum appeared to tap Ferreira with a triangle choke in the first round, but the signal was not seen by the referee. When Werdum released pressure from the choke, Ferreira went back to striking, and knocked out Werdum moments later. The fight was later overturned to a no contest after the New Jersey State Control Board reviewed the footage.

Werdum has yet to compete again and has contemplated retirement, but has recently posted videos on social media of himself working out, looking fight ready. He also directly challenged Ngannou for a fight while stating, “You have a lot of holes in your game.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrlbvtsAV0A/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Ngannou, known for his devastating knockout power, is nine years younger than Werdum. The promotion has yet to announce who will be his first opponent after signing the former UFC champion to a lucrative deal that allows freedom to participate in pro boxing bouts.

Despite the age difference, Cordeiro believes Werdum, who brings a different skillset to the table than Ngannou, could make for a solid fight in the PFL.

“I believe Fabricio matches very well,” Cordeiro said. “If they had to choose somebody, I believe Fabricio is the name to put there and to prove he’s still in the game. I believe the best time of his career is right now. … At 45 years old, the shape that he has, the technique that he has, for sure Fabricio can be a great fight for Francis. As soon as they’re locked in the octagon, it’s 50-50.”

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Fabricio Werdum challenges Francis Ngannou to fight under PFL banner: ‘You have a lot of holes in your game’

It appears former UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum is not done fighting, and he’s calling for a big challenge in the PFL.

It appears [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] is not done fighting, and he’s calling for a big challenge.

Werdum (24-9-1) called out Francis Ngannou, who’s currently a free agent after he fought out his UFC contract.

Ngannou has yet to find a new home. BKFC and ONE Championship failed to come to an agreement with the former UFC heavyweight champion, but the PFL recently provided a positive update on its negotiations with Ngannou. If Ngannou does have a future with the PFL, Werdum wants to be the first to welcome him.

“Hi @francis_ngannou I shock the world when I beat Fedor also when I beat Cain And I become undisputed UFC heavyweight champion you have a lot of hole in your game let’s go @PFLMMA @DonnDavisPFL @PeteMurrayPFL only one way to find out PFL smart cage.”

Werdum hasn’t competed since May 2021, when he battled Renan Fereira to a no contest under the PFL banner. Werdum appeared to force Fereira to tap out with a choke, but he released the submission when the referee didn’t wave the fight off. Immediately after, he absorbed some heavy strikes that knocked him out. Werdum appealed the result, which was overturned to a no contest.

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Werdum hinted at retirement in March 2022, but it appears the former UFC heavyweight champion still has a desire to compete. It’s also been a while since Ngannou has seen action. “The Predator’s” most recent outing was a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022.