Title: Junior Dos Santos Delivers a Bloody Victory in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA
Date: September 9, 2023
In a thrilling clash between two former UFC heavyweight champions, Junior Dos Santos showcased the devastating power of a big heavyweight in a bare-knuckle fight. Dos Santos emerged victorious with a split-decision win over Fabricio Werdum in the main event of Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA on Friday night in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dos Santos demonstrated his prowess by opening up severe cuts near both of Werdum’s eyes, leading to a blood-soaked battle. The cut on Werdum’s left eyelid was particularly gruesome, bleeding profusely by the third round. Dos Santos managed to rock Werdum briefly in the first round, causing the facial damage that proved decisive in the fight.
The victory marked Dos Santos’ first triumph in any combat sport since 2019, breaking his five-fight losing streak. Dos Santos and Werdum had previously clashed in 2008 in the UFC, with Dos Santos securing a first-round TKO victory. Now, Dos Santos is set to face off against another UFC veteran, Roy Nelson, for the highly anticipated Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight title.
Reflecting on his performance, Dos Santos expressed gratitude for his experience in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. He acknowledged that Werdum and the event represented a crucial turning point in his career, stating, “They were the bump in my career that I needed this day. I’m thankful for this whole thing.”
Dos Santos, a Brazilian-born fighter who trains at American Top Team in Florida, boasts an impressive record of 22 wins and 10 losses. He held the UFC heavyweight title in 2011 and 2012 and still holds the record for the longest winning streak in the division’s history, with nine consecutive victories.
On the other side, Werdum (24-10-1), a Brazilian-born fighter residing and training in California, had not fought since a no-contest bout against Renan Ferreira in May 2021. The 46-year-old veteran, renowned for his submission skills, held the UFC heavyweight title from 2014 to 2016 and is considered one of the best submission artists in the history of heavyweight MMA.
The clash between Dos Santos and Werdum in Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA was a testament to the unmatched raw power and determination of heavyweight fighters. As the dust settles from this blood-soaked encounter, fans eagerly await the future matchup between Dos Santos and Roy Nelson for the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight championship.