UFC 198 Werdum vs Miocic: Dan Hardy previews heavyweight title clash

UFC welterweight and commentator Dan Hardy previews this weekend's event in Curitiba, Brazil, as current champion Fabricio Werdum meets challenger Stipe Miocic to contest the UFC heavyweight title

Fabricio Werdum lands a blow on Cain Velasquez (Jeff Bottari/ Zuffa LLC)

The Brazilian fans are in for a real treat this weekend, with some of the country's biggest stars on the line up for UFC 198. And with a fight card like this, the only way to do it justice is to hold the event in a stadium filled with an audience 45,000 strong. The tickets were sold out in a matter of minutes and local prospects and veterans alike were all vying for an opportunity to showcase their combative capabilities to their country men and women.

The history books are filled with Brazilian legends from years gone by. Pioneers of modern MMA, laying the foundations for what the sport is today. Still a powerhouse of combat sports, the top ten of every weight class features stand-out Brazilian athletes, still chasing that UFC gold. In the co-main event we have two highly ranked middleweights squaring off, in a bout that is sure to divide the fan support in attendance.

One of Brazil's most recognisable and longest-serving UFC fighters, Vitor Belfort, steps in once again to begin what he considers his last run at the title. The young, hungry prospect looking to earn his shot by beating Belfort, is Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza. Considered as one of the best Jiu Jitsu representatives to ever fight in the Octagon (one of three that are on this card), Jacare has a lot of hype and support in his native country. In what could be a changing of the guard, I know many fans will hope to see the new blood continue to fly the Brazilian flag all the way to the belt.

Many will still be rooting for Belfort though, as most MMA fans, including Souza, grew up watching him fight. It will be a polarising bout but an essential one if we are to find the next contender. Does Vitor get one more chance or will he be shut out by the younger and highly skilled Souza? It has to be said, Belfort hasn't lost his hand speed after twenty years of fighting. If he can't keep it on the feet though, it will be no use, and the quicksand-like grappling of Souza could prove too much.


 Stipe Miocic hits Andrei Arlovski 
 (Josh Hedges/ Zuffa LLC)

Once the drama of the co-main event is over, the crowd can unite again behind their heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, as he takes on a very physical and well-rounded challenger in Stipe Miocic. As I mentioned, the three most decorated Jiu Jitsu practitioners in the sport are on this card, and Werdum is one of them. His submission of Fedor Emelianenko in Strikeforce in 2010 will forever be remembered as a big shock to the MMA world. From then he has gone from strength to strength. Studying under Muay Thai master Rafael Cordeiro, the champion’s striking is starting to look at formidable as his submission attack.

His relaxed style serves him well in the longer championship fights and he is just as effective at range as he is in the clinch. From the fluid combinations demonstrated against Travis Browne back in April 2014, to the knockout knee over the granite-chinned Mark Hunt at UFC 180, Werdum has shown why he is the king of the division. However, the man challenging his position is equally as well-rounded, with Golden Gloves boxing and Division 1 wrestling experience.

In the main event at UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs Hunt, Stipe Miocic dominated Mark Hunt for 23 minutes with heavy wrestling pressure, before getting the late finish with ground and pound. Then, after knocking out Andrei Arlovski in quick time earlier this year, Miocic roared at UFC president Dana White to give him his title shot. Now he is counting down the hours until he gets what he asked for: a chance to stand across the Octagon from the champion.

His wrestling experience could definitely cause Werdum some problems, provided Miocic is able to prevent the takedown. Then we will see who has the striking advantage. I would think that Werdum wins in the kicking exchanges, but Stipe would win the boxing range. Then the Thai boxing clinch advantage would likely be with Werdum, although Miocic showed great elbows in the Nelson fight at UFC 161 in 2013. If it advances from that point, I believe that Miocic controls the takedown, but he better have his submission defence on point if he is sitting in the champion’s guard for any length of time.

As you can see, it has the makings of a highly competitive fight. Who will come out on top is really dependent on which athlete performs on the night. I wouldn’t be sad either way. The heavyweight division has never been more exciting than it is now and after his impressive win in Rotterdam last weekend, Alistair Overeem is lying in wait for whoever steps out of the Octagon victorious. Don’t miss the rest of this amazing card as well. I would be remiss to leave out Demian Maia, the third man in this trinity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu assassins that are on the card. He will face ‘The Immortal’ Matt Brown in what promises to be a barn-burner, to headline the preliminary card.

Watch UFC 198: Werdum vs Miocic on BT Sport from 1am BST early on Sunday morning, or catch the Early Prelims from 11:30pm BST on Saturday on UFC Fight Pass.