I'm curious of the contingent of folks picking werdum by sub ... how many of yall have wrestled and or (preferably and) done BJJ?
I'm not claiming to be a master of either but my limited experience leads me to believe that folks often underestimate the importance of positional grappling.
The vast majority of successful submissions come from advantageous or at a minimum "even" positions. (Full guard)
It is TOUGH to sub an elite fighter without a dominant position and dominant position vs Brock is not an easy place to get to.
(Mir had a bullshit standup save his ass from a TKO loss and give him an undeserved opportunity to establish a dangerous positi9n that I do not believe he gets without mazagatti and his questionable standup and point deduction).
Brock usually drove that power form tackle of a shot into either side control.or top half guard.
Frank Mir's "Mir lock" on Pete Williams is the only sub I am aware of from bottom half guard. And that was a million years ago and an enormous grappling skill mismatch.
I know Ezekiel choke is POSSIBLE from bottom.mount (mounted)
Olienik has done it... I don't know if he ever got one (mounted) in UFC. I know he got them in UFC ( from top mount or some form of guard)
But again- he is the best Ezekiel guy in MMA history and probably only hit it in UFC against weaker opponents.
Brock was one of the best NCAA wrestlers in HW mma history. And logistically his neck is so thick good luck squeezing that thing to OFF position.
Werdum .... MAYBE if he hurt Brock bad enough... could catch a sub, but it would be far from an easy thing to pull off.
Brock pre diverticulitis is a PROBLEM. His ground and pound was malicious and his standing striking- which gets shit on for his bad defense.... but offensively he dropped and rocked a few dudes. Dropped Randy and fuckin sent Heath Herring across the cage with standing punches.
Kings MMA Rafael Cordero trained werdum would have a striking technique edge... but he was still a flawed striker which showed when he charged chin up at Stipe.
Honestly i think both in prime (werdum that beat Cain vs UFC 100 pre diverticulitis Brock) .... that is a toss up. Either man could win imo standing or on the ground... likely by finish one way or another