UFC 143 Results: Fabricio Werdum Flattens Roy Nelson on Way to Junior dos Santos

Fabricio Werdum's long-awaited return to the UFC was nothing short of triumphant, thanks to a dominant decision victory over Roy Nelson at UFC 143 on Saturday night.

Werdum spent three years fighting in the Strikeforce following a knockout loss to Junior dos Santos, then a rookie, at UFC 90 back in October in 2008.

And after demolishing "Big Country" in the Octagon on Saturday night, it appears as though "Vai Cavalo" will have an opportunity to avenge his loss to "Cigano" before too long.

Werdum came close to submitting Nelson in the first round with a big takedown and grip, but Nelson, ever the gritty fighter, was able to force his way out and back up on his feet.

That simply allowed Werdum to dominate Nelson with devastating knee after devastating knee, most of which would've felled lesser fighters than Nelson.

Still, as strong as Nelson's chin was—and judging by the volume of blood that spilled from his head throughout, it was a mighty chin, indeed—it was no match on the judge's scorecards for Werdum's greater volume of blows landed and attempted. Nelson could do little to tire out Werdum against the cage without subjecting himself to further punishment.

Werdum proved to be too big, too strong and too skilled for a grinder like Nelson to withstand. As a result, Werdum finds himself back on the path to UFC heavyweight title contention almost instantaneously. More than three years away from the Octagon didn't seem to wear on Werdum's ability to compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts one iota.

And for that, Werdum deserves a shot at JDS for the heavyweight title—maybe not right away, but certainly soon.

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