5 UFC fighters who found major success after changing camps
Most fighters in the UFC can credit their own instincts and unique skill-sets as being largely responsible for their success inside the octagon. However, more hardcore students of the sport understand that behind every great fighter is a great head coach.
Often-times, these coaches operate from gyms or fight camps that help sharpen a fighter's tools, while also developing gameplans to better equip them for the foe they'll inevitably face in the cage. For many years, Black House MMA and Jackson Wink MMA were the most prominent gyms/camps in the world of mixed martial arts.
Former UFC champions like Jon Jones, Holly Holm, Rashad Evans, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida all hailed from said camps. However, as the sport evolved, the landscape of MMA changed, forcing certain fighters who found themselves on losing streaks to switch camps in search of greener pastures.
This list takes a look at five UFC fighters who found significant success upon switching camps/gyms.
#5. UFC heavyweight fighter - Fabricio Werdum
Whenever a list compiling the greatest grapplers in heavyweight MMA is attempted, Fabricio Werdum is always mentioned. A second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Werdum is as good a grappler as any fighter needs to be in the heavyweight division. Unfortunately, for a large portion of his career, that was all the Brazilian ever was.
Jun13.2015
Fabricio Werdum submits Cain Velasquez in Mexico City,
to become the new UFC Heavyweight Champion https://t.co/XeT4wa3fC1
Without the wrestling pedigree to consistently drag his opponents to the ground, Werdum was often helpless against foes he couldn't take down. By 2013, he realized that he needed a change. Hence, he made the decision to join Kings MMA, where renowned Muay Thai coach Rafael Cordeiro vastly improved Werdum's striking skills, turning him into a competent Muay Thai fighter who was comfortable striking with his opponents when he lacked the means to ground them.
After a 3-1 run in Strikeforce, 'Vai Cavalo' was welcomed back into the UFC, a promotion he was previously released from after a poor 2-2 run that culminated in a first-round knockout loss to future UFC champion Junior dos Santos. This time, Werdum was a different fighter altogether, using his newfound Muay Thai skills to embark on a 6-fight win streak that saw him dethrone Cain Velasquez to capture the UFC heavyweight championship.