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Fabricio Werdum Talks Incident With Travis Browne’s Coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, And Potential Title Shot

By Frank Yemi
Published on: 09:19 PST, Sep 11, 2016

Fabricio Werdum’s post-fight incident with Edmond Tarverdyan summed up a bizarre battle with Travis Browne.

The former heavyweight champion beat Travis Browne for the second time at UFC 203 in a decision victory after a mostly one-sided fight.

There was controversy during the first round when Travis stopped the fight to tend to his broken finger. Werdum continued to strike Browne until the referee intervened. However, Werdum’s strikes were legal and Travis was not allowed to stop the fight to tend to his injury.

Werdum started the fight with an eccentric flying front kick that connected to the 6-foot-6 “Hapa” Browne’s head.

Fabricio Werdum kicked Edmond Tarverdyan after the fight when the boxing coach hurled abuse at the Brazilian jujitsu specialist.

The multi-lingual Werdum revealed that he perceived Edmond’s use of the word “motherf**ker” as an actual insult to his mother. It is possible that the former heavyweight champion is unaware that the term is usually not used literally.

Before the incident, Fabricio was taunting the pro-Stipe Miocic crowd who were booing him.

Werdum stated at the post-fight press conference that he didn’t want to hurt Edmond, rather he wanted to keep his distance.

“I just keep my distance, I don’t want to kick him, I just keep the distance, you know, he’s a boxing coach, and I see in his eyes he wants to punch my face. And I just want to keep the distance. But he comes first. He says a lot of things, a lot of bad things.”

Despite being knocked out by Cleveland’s own Stipe Miocic, the two fighters seem to maintain a friendly relationship with Werdum revealing that the two heavyweights were on speaking terms during UFC 203.

Fabricio made a case for another title shot, stating that the six-fight winning streak prior to his loss is enough incentive for a rematch.

However, Dana White was not impressed with the Travis Browne fight, which leaves the title opportunity to Cain Velasquez.

Stipe Miocic and Cain are known for their cardio and striking ability. It has been a fantasy fight among many MMA fans and is likely to be Stipe’s second defense.

According to MMA Fighting, Dana White stated that Fabricio is not likely to be punished for the kick thrown at Edmond. In an interview with Fox Sports 1, the UFC president said the following after the fight.

“Listen, this is the fight business. 99.9 percent of the time when the fight is over, everyone is cool and shows respect. There are incidents sometimes. It happens. Nothing serious happened tonight. I’m sure the athletic commission will have something to say about it and I’m sure some fines will be handed out.”

It is unclear whether Fabricio will get a title shot or if he has to wait for the winner of Cain and Stipe.

Edmond Tarverdyan has been criticized by members of the MMA community. Many blame him for Ronda Rousey’s loss to Holly Holm, and Travis Browne’s less-creative form of striking since leaving his Albuquerque gym to train at Glendale Fighting Club.

Travis Browne has lost his last two fights and was once considered a future champion prospect. It is unclear who the 34-year-old Hawaiian will fight next.

Dana White feels that Stipe Miocic saved UFC 203 with his amazing victory in front of his home crowd. The rising star sold out the arena in his first defense and is currently on a four-fight winning streak, and has only suffered two loses in his MMA career.

When the 245-pound heavyweight is not fighting, he works as a firefighter and paramedic.

Miocic married his girlfriend after winning the Heavyweight belt in Brazil and he celebrated his victory with his now wife.

[Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images]

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