By Tony Reid

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum is one of the greatest ground fighters in the history of mixed martial arts.

“Vai Cavalo” is a decorated grappler with multiple world titles across the global jiu-jitsu circuit. He would eventually transition to MMA, and during his time in the sport has tested his skills in every major MMA organization around the world.

Werdum achieved one of the most notable victories in MMA history when he submitted Fedor Emelianenko and snapped “The Last Emperor’s” 10-year unbeaten streak under the Strikeforce banner in 2010. While defeating Emelianenko was a massive accomplishment, Werdum topped that feat by choking out Cain Velasquez in the third round of their main event tilt at UFC 188.

Defeating Velasquez not only earned Werdum the coveted UFC heavyweight title, but solidified his place among the all time greats in the sport.

Werdum credits his versatile skill set to training at Kings MMA, and it was there the latest installment of "Gym Stories" was born. Throughout his career Werdum has engaged in many battles inside the gym, but the first time he stepped in to spar Wanderlei Silva was one he says he'll never forget.

“I remember our first sparring session at King’s MMA," "Werdum said. “We were on the ground and I was on top of him. We were wearing MMA gloves, not boxing gloves. I was punching him hard. I mean 100 percent. I was on top of him, punching him a lot. All he did is hit me with one punch on the ear. I went limp. I came back to and started punching him again. He started punching me again and in a moment I just saw all black. Everything was black.

"I saw my life flash before my eyes in that one second. I came back to, punching him again and Rafael (Cordeiro) said 'Stop, stop, stop.' That was it. I always give Wanderlei 100 percent in sparring. After that, we go eat.”



Werdum also reflected on the priceless memories, motivation and more potential concussions shared with "The Axe Murderer".

“I have had so many memorable moments in the gym when I train with Wanderlei," Werdum said. "Before I ever trained with him I watched him all the time. Today he is my good friend. He knocked me out when we first started sparring. After a week or so I started knocking him out. When I train with him it’s always hard training. He tries to knock me out all the time and I try to knock him out, too.

"I have such a great relationship with him. This is very important… that energy. When you have good energy in the gym everything goes great.”