I dont think Werdums all that.

Relatively i mean. Im not saying i could tool him. He is a solid top 5 guy, but there are still clear paths to beating him.



Head down, swinging blind, off balance, arms out and over each other, upper cut please.



Whats changed?

He was essentially losing tonight to a guy on the verge of retirement, until Nog went for the choke. Nogs ground game is in his DNA, but Werdum should expect no such charity from others. Werdum looked out of shape, and a little bit too Schauby on the feet, under pressure. I dont see how he beats Cain, Cormier, JDS or Overeem, and he is essentially a stuttering striker, and vulnerable if he cant get the takedown. I loved his work against Nelson, and his accomplishment tonight is great on paper. Hes 35 though, and i dont see him as a guy who is all that scary. There are clear ways to beat him and he is vulnerable in the fray under pressure.

The story at the end of round 1 was a lot different than the story across the HWs now, and its all due to Nog going for a choke when Werdum was vulnerable. It would take a BJJ black belt of Nogs pedigree to even make that mistake.