Fabrício Werdum

Fabrício Werdum (Portuguese pronunciation: [faˈbɾisju veʁˈdũ]; born 30 July 1977) is a Spanish-Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Heavyweight Champion who competes in the Heavyweight division. He is also a 4-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, a two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Heavyweight Champion and a member of the ADCC Hall of Fame. He holds black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai. Werdum has competed in PRIDE, the UFC, Strikeforce, and Jungle Fight. Fight Matrix ranks him as the fourth best heavyweight MMA fighter of all time.

Early life and education

Born in Porto Alegre, Werdum started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu after being choked unconscious with a triangle choke by the ex-boyfriend of his girlfriend. He trained with Marcio Corleta at the Porto Alegre Academy, Winner Behring. After success in competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling, he started his career in MMA. He moved to Spain to join his mother, who had been living in Madrid. As a purple belt, he started teaching the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Madrid and other cities of Spain. Despite only training with white and blue belts, he became a BJJ World Champion, being promoted to the rank of black belt by Master Sylvio Behring three years later.

From 2003 to 2011, Werdum's incomplete submission grappling record was 32 wins and 13 losses across 9 international tournaments. Competing at 99+ kg, he won first place at the ADCC World Championships in 2007 and 2009, second place at the ADCC World Championships in 2011, first place at the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships in 2003 and 2004, second place at the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships in 2003, and second place at the CBJJO World Jiu-Jitsu Cup in 2003.