Fabricio Werdum’s ‘Little Brother’ Orlando Sanchez Wants UFC Spot After ADCC Victory

SAO PAULO -- Kings MMA fighters Fabricio Werdum and Rafael dos Anjos took home UFC titles in 2015. Now, the gym has an ADCC champion on its roster, too.

Orlando Sanchez conquered the heavyweight bracket ad ADCC 2015 on Sunday after a 40-minute bout against Jared Dopp. Now, Sanchez is in the place he feels that he belongs.

“I’ve only been doing grappling for seven years. I started really late in my life, but it saved me from being a drug addict and an alcoholic,” Sanchez told Sherdog.com. “I feel like being the greatest heavyweight grappler in the world today is something I deserve. I earned it, and nobody can take it away from me.”

Sanchez started the second day of competition at ADCC 2015 with a highly anticipated matchup against Vinny Magalhaes. As the underdog, Sanchez was able to control Magalhaes and earn the win via judges’ decision, avenging a loss his teammate Werdum suffered to Magalhaes in the same event years ago.

“Fabricio Werdum is a brother to me. To train with him, to be in his corner and watch him become the UFC champion gave me the mindset to become the best grappler in the world too,” said Sanchez. “Fabricio told me last night, ‘This is your time. You dedicated yourself to do this,’ and it is my time. I dedicate this to Fabricio. I want to be the best. I want to be like him.”

The next step for Sanchez is to focus on his burgeoning MMA career and continue to follow in Werdum’s footsteps outside the mats.

“I’m 5-and-0, undefeated, and I train with the best team in the world, Kings MMA,” Sanchez said. “I’m ready. It’s just a matter of time before I get to the UFC. I want to be the best in the world like my brother Werdum.”