Travis Browne was supposed to have the advantage on the feet, but someone forgot to tell Fabricio Werdum.
The Brazilian reaffirmed his claim to the #1 contendership in the UFC’s heavyweight division with a dominant unanimous decision win over Browne at UFC on FOX.
Browne appeared to gas in the second round could not keep pace with Werdum’s strikes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In the co-main event, in a headscratching decision Miesha Tate defeated Liz Carmouche despite appearing to lose two rounds in the three round fight.
Tate’s slow start but dominant third round appeared to sway the judges to a 29-28 unanimous decision nod.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman looks at the main event aftermath:
Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website. Image courtesy Steve Bartlett
UFC/Zuffa LLC
#13 BRAD TAVARES VS #14 YOEL “SOLDIER OF GOD” ROMERO
Brad Tavares, right, and Yoel Romero fight in a UFC mixed martial arts bout Saturday, April 19, 2014, in Orlando Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
WINNER: YOEL ROMERO VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Wiseman: While most fighters with so much muscle tend to lack cardio, Romero showed that he isn’t like most. He mixed up his striking, various kicks, and grappled Tavares throughout the fight. Tavares, always a gamer, showed heart, but couldn’t counter the skill setting of Romero. The most surprising part of Romero every time I see him fight is his growth. An Olympic wrestler no more, he is a MMA fighter now.
#8 “COWBOY” DONALD CERRONE VS #12 EDSON “JUNIOR” BARBOZA
Donald Cerrone, right, and Edson Barboza, of Brazil, fight. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
WINNER: DONALD CERRONE VIS SUBMISSION
Wiseman: Cerrone got the win in the ground department. Barboza started very quickly and showed that the speed advantage was his, as well as the power. However, Cerrone showed tonight that he is always dangerous and quick to counter when an opponent is rocked. Huge win for Cerrone tonight as he continues his winning streak.
#3 MIESHA “CUPCAKE” TATE VS #7 LIZ “GIRL-RILLA” CARMOUCHE
Miesha Tate, left, and Liz Carmouche. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
WINNER: MIESHA TATE VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Wiseman: Only Miesha Tate could lose two rounds, but win a three round fight. Completely bogus call and Carmouche out-grappled Tate and dominated with her wrestling/takedowns for the first two rounds. Tate clearly won the final round, but the fight? Nope. I had Carmouche 2 rounds to 1, therefore the winner via decision.
MAIN EVENT
#2 FABRICIO ” VAL CAVALO” WERDUM VS #3 TRAVIS “HAPA” BROWNE
Fabricio Werdum, left, and Travis Browne fight in the main event during a mixed martial arts event on Saturday, April 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night in Orlando Fla. Werdum won in a decision. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)
WINNER: FABRICIO WERDUM VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Wiseman: It was expected that Werdum would dominate on the ground, but the striking and takedown defence was given to Browne. Boy were we all wrong. Werdum’s cardio was superior which really helped. The speed and combinations forced Browne to be on the defence and in serious trouble several times. Werdum withstood the power of Browne and took control of all Browne’s mistakes. Definitely a sharp Werdum tonight. Browne seemed to be striving for a knockout from the beginning and Werdum was right there to capitalize on the counter.
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