UFC 198 fight preview: Fabricio Werdum vs. Stipe Miocic

For the first time ever, UFC will storm Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, a 42,000-seat open-air stadium that will be packed to the gills with passionate mixed martial arts fans. In the UFC 198 pay-per-view event, Heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum -- who hails from nearby Porto Alegre -- will look to defend his unified 265-pound title against No. 3-ranked contender Stipe Miocic.

Werdum was supposed to make his first-ever whole title defense against Cain Velasquez, who “Vai Cavalo” defeated at UFC 188 via third-round submission (guillotine choke) in June 2015. It marked the first time ever Velasquez -- who endured a beating prior to the finish -- was forced to tap in his professional career. Werdum, though, has a penchant for doing things that others can’t, like being the first man to legitimately defeat the legendary Fedor Emelianenko. And he did it with, of course, his unrivaled Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Indeed, Werdum is the most decorated -- and dangerous -- submission fighter on UFC’s roster. However, he’s evolved into more than just a one-trick pony. He has developed tremendous striking skills, which account for 30 percent of his 20 career wins in MMA. Perhaps his most impressive feat on his feet is his stoppage of the brick-chinned Mark Hunt, who he drilled with a knee back in Nov. 2014.

Werdum is going to need those stand up skills to handle Miocic, an incredibly well-rounded fighter who was an accomplished amateur boxer. He, too, defeated Hunt, as well as former champion Andrei Arlovski, to punch his ticket to a title shot. He’s a serious threat who is seemingly putting it all together at just the right time.

But, will it be tonight? We’ll find out soon enough later this evening at UFC 198.