Cain Velaquez is recognised as one of the best fighters to have entered the Octagon. He has been
one of the more consistent heavyweights, although lately, he has made fewer and more selected
appearances to fight for the company.
Early Life and Debut
Before he was in UFC, Cain Velasquez was the youngest of three children born to his parents. In high
school, he found success in wrestling winning the Arizona Wrestling Championship twice, with a
record of 110-10. This was to signal his future success in MMA. Cain Velasquez was also a good
football player, captaining his side as the Linebacker. He wrestled in college as well, wrestling
alongside fighters like Ryan Bader and CB Dollaway. He made his debut for Strikeforce winning his
debut fight.
UFC and UFC Heavyweight Championship
Cain Velasquez made his debut for UFC in 2008, where he defeated Brad Moris. This undefeated
streak of his would continue for the better part of 5 years. During this time he would defeat each
fighter he faced, including Jake O’Brien and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Finally, he came face to face
with then-UFC Heavyweight Champion, the ever-controversial Brock Lesnar. In a fight where he
displayed excellent prowess, Velasquez defeated Brock Lesnar and became the UFC Heavyweight
Champion for the first time.
Championship Run and Return
Cain Velasquez’ championship run would not last long as he lost it to Junior Dos Santos in the very
next fight of his career. In 2012, he would win it back from Dos Santos, and defend it twice, once
against Antonio Silva, and again against Junior Dos Santos. He finally lost the title to Fabricio
Werdum.
Since then he has won a fight against Travis Browne and is about to make a return after two years
away from the Octagon in 2019 when he faces Francis Ngannou, in the headline match of UFC’s
inaugural event on ESPN, on February 17, 2019. His current figures are 14-2.
