Fabricio Werdum: 'I feel more Mexican than Cain (Velasquez)'

When Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez finally meet in Mexico City at UFC 188 with the heavyweight title on the line, conventional wisdom would suggest Velasquez, a Mexican-American, will be the overwhelming fan favorite.

Werdum, however, has spent plenty of time in Mexico preparing for the fight, and is confident he'll have a considerable cadre of supporters when the two square off June 13.

"I get a lot of messages from the Mexican fans on social networks," Werdum told Combate, according to BloodyElbow.com's Lucas Rezende. "I'm really happy for them. I have been to Mexico over 20 times and, actually, I feel more Mexican than Cain."

The two were originally scheduled to exchange heavy leather at UFC 180 in November, but Velasquez had to pull out with a knee injury, and Werdum defeated Mark Hunt to capture the interim heavyweight title.

"I believe it was a strategy. He had an injury, sure, but it wasn't urgent, he didn't need to stop," Werdum said. "Now we can see who the true champion is, because Cain Velasquez hasn't fought in two years. I'm still here and I was here to beat him, he just didn't show up. I feel like the champion and on June 13, there can only be one and it will be me."