Walt Harris’ Cinderella story didn’t last too long.
Harris was bumped up to the UFC 216 main card against Fabricio Werdum late on Saturday afternoon after Werdum’s original opponent, Derrick Lewis, had to drop out due to a back injury.
But the 40-year-old Werdum is a former UFC heavyweight champion and the most decorated jiu-jitsu player in division history, and it didn’t take long after the start of their bout at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena to show the two are on different levels.
Werdum needed just 1:05 to finish Harris with an armbar, It was the 11th career submission win and 17th career stoppage for Werdum, who improved to 22-7-1.
“Three hours before the fight they change my opponent, but it’s my job, I love this,” Werdum said.
Werdum shot for a single leg, scored the takedown, scrambled to get Harris’ back, then transitioned from there to the armbar for his second win in his past three fights.
“I want to show for everyone that I am the best in the world,” Werdum said.
Harris (10-6), who was originally scheduled to fight Marc Godbeer, had a two fight win streak snapped.