UFC 188: Fabricio Werdum Submits Cain Velasquez

UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum took place on June 13, 2015, at Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City. Interim champion Fabricio Werdum submitted Cain Velasquez in the third round to unify the UFC heavyweight championship. Eddie Alvarez edged Gilbert Melendez, Kelvin Gastelum stopped Nate Marquardt, and Yair Rodriguez won a close split decision over Charles Rosa.

Event video: UFC 188.

Werdum unifies the heavyweight championship

Velasquez began aggressively, but the high-altitude pace and Werdum’s clinch work increasingly changed the fight. Werdum landed knees, combinations, and sharp punches as Velasquez’s output slowed.

In round three, Velasquez shot for a takedown and left his neck exposed. Werdum immediately locked a guillotine choke and forced the tap at 2:13, becoming the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion.

Alvarez edges Melendez in a close fight

Gilbert Melendez badly damaged Alvarez’s left eye early, but Alvarez adjusted by wrestling more and attacking with shorter combinations. Two judges favored Alvarez 29–28, giving him a split-decision victory.

Melendez later failed a post-fight drug test and received a one-year suspension, but the official result of the fight remained an Alvarez victory rather than being overturned.

Gastelum and Rodriguez add important wins

Kelvin Gastelum pressured Nate Marquardt with combinations until Marquardt’s corner stopped the fight after round two. Yair Rodriguez edged Charles Rosa by split decision in a creative featherweight bout, while Tecia Torres outpointed Angela Hill.

Henry Cejudo defeated Chico Camus, Efrain Escudero submitted Drew Dober in 54 seconds, and Patrick Williams rendered Alejandro Pérez unconscious with a guillotine choke in only 23 seconds.

Complete UFC 188 results

• Fabricio Werdum def. Cain Velasquez — submission (guillotine choke); round 3, 2:13. Werdum unified the UFC heavyweight championship.
• Eddie Alvarez def. Gilbert Melendez — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Kelvin Gastelum def. Nate Marquardt — TKO (corner stoppage); round 2, 5:00.
• Yair Rodriguez def. Charles Rosa — split decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Tecia Torres def. Angela Hill — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Henry Cejudo def. Chico Camus — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Efrain Escudero def. Drew Dober — submission (guillotine choke); round 1, 0:54.
• Patrick Williams def. Alejandro Pérez — technical submission (guillotine choke); round 1, 0:23.
• Johnny Case def. Francisco Trevino — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Cathal Pendred def. Augusto Montaño — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.
• Gabriel Benitez def. Clay Collard — unanimous decision; round 3, 5:00.

Werdum submitted Velasquez to unify the heavyweight title, while other contenders also earned wins on the card.

Sources

Sherdog: complete UFC 188 results; UFC: official UFC 188 event record.

Article Tags

UFC 188, Fabricio Werdum, Cain Velasquez, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC Results