Smartest Guy at the Bar: UFC 198 Edition

The countdown to UFC 200 is in full swing, the landmark event now just two pay-per-view stops away. Before the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads back to its Las Vegas home in July, the promotion must focus on the business at hand. UFC 198 “Werdum vs. Miocic” on Saturday in Curitiba offers the strongest lineup to ever emanate from Brazil. It comes at a unique time, too. The UFC’s South American hub is currently embroiled in a political corruption scandal echoing through Brazil’s highest corridors of power. Though more important issues are at hand for the vibrant country, the UFC will touch down with its best foot forward. The charge is led by a champion trying to stake his claim as the top heavyweight of all-time, as Fabricio Werdum will headline the event in what he hopes will be a memorable homecoming.HOW WE GOT HERE: When Cain Velasquez bested Brazilian rival Junior dos Santos in their heavyweight title trilogy, it appeared that the Mexican-American fighter had an iron grip on the division. That was until Werdum — who had already submitted Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira — beat the brakes off Velasquez at UFC 188 and caught him in a guillotine choke to claim the UFC heavyweight championship. Werdum was set to grant Velasquez and immediate rematch in February before the American Kickboxing Academy ace suffered an injury. Not wanting to jump into a short-notice situation following Velasquez’s departure, Werdum cited a back injury and declined a matchup with replacement Stipe Miocic. The immediate rematch then fell apart for Velasquez, as Miocic retained the opportunity to challenge Werdum next. Miocic benefits from a full training camp ahead of the UFC 198 main event opposite Werdum, rather than a far less desirable short-notice situation. The downside? He has to take on Werdum in his home country. At 38, Werdum’s Rafael Cordeiro-inspired muay Thai has complimented his world-class jiu-jitsu and allowed him to get better with age. He has an unblemished record since returning the UFC in 2012. Werdum can keep that run going and preserve a number of compelling rematches by defending the heavyweight title for the first time and extending his current winning streak to seven fights. Now, about those rematches. Alistair Overeem, the last man to defeat Werdum, called for a trilogy bout with the Brazilian after he knocked out Andrei Arlovski in the Netherlands on May 8. Meanwhile, Velasquez aims to secure a return engagement with Werdum if he impresses against Travis Browne at UFC 200. Miocic hopes to …

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