Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez title rematch confirmed for UFC 196

Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum

Fabricio Werdum will have the opportunity to prove that his dominant submission victory over Cain Velasquez to win the heavyweight championship at UFC 188 was no fluke when the two meet in a rematch at UFC 196.

UFC President Dana White today confirmed the date of the Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC) vs. Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) rematch with UFC Total.

UFC 196 takes place Feb. 6 in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass. A venue for the event has not been announced.

Werdum, currently ranked No. 1 in the NOS Energy Drink MMA heavyweight rankings, handled the relentless pace and striking of Velasquez, ranked No. 2, with shocking ease in their first encounter, leading to the unthinkable scenario where it was the then-champion who was visibly fatigued after only two rounds. An exhausted Velasquez shot for a takedown and was caught in a fight-ending guillotine choke at the 2:13 mark of Round 3.

Some feel that Velasquez was ill-prepared for the altitude in Mexico City. Werdum spent 34 days in town to acclimate while Velasquez was only in Mexico City for two weeks prior to the bout.

No other bouts have been announced for the event.

For more on UFC 196, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.