Werdum wants title shot after Rothwell fight, calls JDS 'Brazilian Conor McGregor'

Former UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum believes he'll have earned a title shot if he overcomes his next challenge, Ben Rothwell, in May. As he told Portal do Vale Tudo, Fabricio thinks there's really nobody else to make that claim.

"Ben Rothwell is a dangerous guy,” Werdum said. “He has wins over Barnett and Overeem, he's dangerous because he's big. He's a strong fat guy, so I need to fight a strategic, intelligent fight. We have to put on a show, but sometimes the styles don't match so you have to know how to use strategy. Winning is what matters, having my arm raised. Should I win this fight, I don't see anyone else to fight for the title but me."

If he defeats Ben Rothwell, Werdum says he doesn't care if the champion is Stipe Miocic or Junior dos Santos, but he reveals defeating dos Santos would feel better, as he thinks "Cigano" has been talking too much lately.

"I have no preferences,” Werdum said. “I lost to both guys and I'd like to pay them back. Be it Miocic or Dos Santos, my goal is the belt, no matter who has it. If it's Cigano, though, it'll be good to stop him from being the Brazilian Conor McGregor. The way he's been talking lately is not cool, it doesn't match him. I don't know him, but this whole Brazilian McGregor thing doesn't suit him. It's actually ridiculous, to be honest."

Fabricio Werdum will meet Ben Rothwell at UFC 211, on May 13, in Dallas, Texas. The card will be headlined by the rematch for the heavyweight title, between Stipe Miocic and the last man to beat him, Junior dos Santos.