A Fabricio Werdum Win Over Cain Velasquez Would Be Best for Heavyweight Division

Fabricio Werdum, the UFC's interim heavyweight champion, looks to unify the championship against Cain Velasquez this weekend at UFC 188. It is a tall order, but one that would be most beneficial to the current heavyweight division.

Werdum earned his way to the gold with four wins since returning to the UFC. He was originally slated for a title shot in Mexico City in 2014, but Velasquez was put on the shelf with an injury. An interim title was created, and Werdum landed a flying knee that put Mark Hunt on the canvas.

His only loss since the flash knockout against Junior dos Santos at UFC 90 was an odd performance against Alistair Overeem in Strikeforce. In his time since 2009, Werdum has beaten Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, Roy Nelson, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Travis Browne and Hunt. Not only have those victories moved him into the clear No. 1-contender position, but it has elevated him into being one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

Beating Velasquez would cement his standing. He has been able to construct his legacy because he has been active—something Velasquez cannot claim.

Stability is what the heavyweight division needs right now, and Werdum has proven the ability to provide it. Velasquez has only fought five times since 2011, and all five fights have been against two opponents—Dos Santos and Bigfoot. That's it. Two men.

Velasquez has been injury prone, and that has left him unable to defend his title for a third time.

There is yet another big reason why it is best for the division. A Werdum win would open the gates to more exciting and competitive fights.

Velasquez is the best heavyweight we have ever seen. He has run over nearly everyone in the division. On a bum leg, he got clipped against Dos Santos but returned from injury to paint the canvas red with Bigfoot's blood. He reclaimed his championship by pummeling Dos Santos, and the third fight between the two was yet another one-sided beating.

Outside of Werdum, there is no one on the current slate of contenders that poses a serious threat to Velasquez. At least, that is how it seems.

Werdum doesn't have that same aura of invincibility. Even Hunt had his moments against Werdum before eating the knee to the grill. Matchups against Stipe Miocic, Andrei Arlovski and a rematch with Dos Santos are all exciting possibilities.

Having a new, more beatable champion adds in a little excitement to the division. Werdum has excellent skills that will electrify a crowd, but his fights against title challengers will be more competitive. Challengers to Velasquez are seen more as punching bags.

Werdum brings personality along with him as well. Velasquez is bland.

The UFC's heavyweight division is stagnant with Velasquez on top. Sure, we get to see the greatest heavyweight of all time crush contender after contender, but we don't get a true heavyweight war. We get a heavyweight massacre. Werdum makes for more fun.

UFC 188 is an uphill battle for the interim champion, but a victory is what is best for business.