#1
Cain Velasquez
(UFC Champion)
Summary: Well-rounded
Fighter Info
From: | Yuma, AZ USA |
Fights Out Of: | San Jose, California USA |
Age: | 28 |
Height: | 6' 1" ( 185 cm ) |
Weight: | 240 lb ( 109 kg ) |
College: | Arizona State University |
Degree: | Education |
Cain began his mixed martial arts career right after college, joining American Kickboxing Academy. Velasquez is a brown belt in Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu and a NCAA Division I Wrestler. He has notable wins over Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Brock Lesnar.
Velasquez made his MMA debut on October 7, 2006 against Jesse Fujarczyk at Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello, he won by TKO in the first round. Velasquez then faced Jeremiah Constant at BodogFight: St. Petersburg, he won via TKO in the first round at the 4 minute mark.[13]
Velasquez made his UFC debut against Brad Morris at UFC 83 and won due to strikes in the first round.[14] In his next fight, Velasquez defeated Jake O'Brien at UFC Fight Night 14 by TKO in round one.[15] Velasquez then faced Denis Stojnić at UFC Fight Night 17 and the fight was stopped in round two with Velasquez earning the victory by TKO.[16] Velasquez's next fight was in UFC 99 against former kickboxer and established UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo. Velasquez was once again dominant, landing 251 strikes and winning the bout by unanimous decision (30–27 on all cards).[17]
Velasquez's next opponent was scheduled to be Shane Carwin[18] for the number one contendership of the UFC Heavyweight Championship held by Brock Lesnar. Velasquez was instead told he would be fighting Ben Rothwell at UFC 104. Velasquez was 7–0 after defeating Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 with a TKO at 0:58 of round 2.[19]
Velasquez faced former Pride Heavyweight Champion and former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on February 20, 2010 at UFC 110. Dana White had promised the winner a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Title after Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin's fight.[20] Going into the fight, some commentators predicted that Nogueira would take the victory due to a supposed lack of striking power for Velasquez.[21] They were proven wrong when Velasquez defeated Nogueira via knockout (punches) at 2:20 of round one.
Dana White announced via SportsNation that the UFC would be bringing back UFC Primetime to promote Lesnar vs. Velasquez.[22] Velasquez defeated Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, finishing him off violently in the first round..[23]
It was announced at the end of 2010 that Velasquez had suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and was expected to be sidelined for at least 6–8 months. The injury was expected to undergo a surgical repair and extensive therapy before a return to action is possible.[24]
The surgery was a success and Velasquez hopes to return as early as Fall 2011 and is expected to defend his title against the winner between Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos at UFC 136.[25]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cain_Velasquez
