Cain Velasquez

[GreenCloudCLF]

vs. Jeremiah Constant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neBdpxNblMQ)

vs. Jake O'Brien (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7V7kz7DsUU)


It may seem absurd to suggest that a guy coming off knee surgery, and with only four professional fights, is all but a lock to be competing for the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title before the end of the year.

But then, Brock Lesnar, the UFC champion, is a guy who won the title in his fourth professional fight, so it’s hardly out of the question that Cain Velasquez could have the belt around his waist before 2010 dawns.

“No doubt about it,” UFC president Dana White says assuredly of the likelihood of Velasquez fighting for the title sometime this year.

Velasquez is only 26 and has been a professional for a bit more than two years, but he’s already learned there are no guarantees in this business. And so while so many around him are giddy about his prospects, and White discusses a title shot as if it’s a fait accompli, Velasquez is simply concerned with finding a way to defeat Denis Stojnic when they meet at Ultimate Fight Night Saturday at the Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., in a bout televised on Spike TV.

Velasquez is an overwhelming favorite to win, but he wants no part of that kind of talk. He’s prepared for Stojnic, he says, as if it were the most important fight of his life.

That’s a good move on his part, because it is. While Stojnic may be no Lesnar, a young and inexperienced fighter can’t afford a slipup and still land a title shot. With as many qualified candidates who are out there, even a prospect as highly touted as Velasquez must continue to win impressively to remain in the mix.

And so Velasquez has trained feverishly to prepare for Stojnic, a kickboxer with a 5-1 record who will be making his UFC debut.

“There are no sure things in this sport,” Velasquez said. “Denis is a super aggressive guy. He’s really strong and he likes to come forward. It’s a tough fight.”

A two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State, Velasquez hasn’t been in anything remotely resembling a tough fight since he turned pro. He’s ended each of his four fights in the first round, with only one going past the halfway mark of the round.

He’s like the rookie outfielder that a team is so optimistic about that it puts him in the middle of the lineup and expects him to be one of the key players from Day One. Velasquez’s approach is more like he’s battling for the 25th spot on the roster.

“What other people say, I filter out,” Velasquez said. “I never listen to the hype. I have a long way to go. I need to get better in every area. Of course, you would rather people think highly of you than not, but in the end, that doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I perform and how much I learn.”

White is almost giddy about his new crop of heavyweights. In the last year, he’s added Lesnar, Velasquez, Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos to a group that includes Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir and Gabriel Gonzaga.

The promoter unabashedly says it’s the best group of heavyweights the company has had since he and partners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta bought it eight years ago.

“I’ve never been happier with our heavyweights in the history of the company,” White said. “We have a lot of great fighters and we have guys like Cain who are getting better every day.

“He’s one of the guys we think is going to be great and I definitely see him and Brock fighting at some point. That’s one of those fights that we haven’t even made and when you think about it, you can’t wait to see it.”

Velasquez lost a lot of momentum when he tore the meniscus in his left knee after his win over Jake O’Brien in July and required surgery. He said he doesn’t expect problems from his knee and insists he’ll be able to compete full out with no mental reservations.

“It feels like ages since I’ve had to worry about my knee,” he said.

If the knee holds up and he gets past Stojnic on Saturday, much bigger things are ahead. And he understands that because they have similar backgrounds, there are going to be plenty of comparisons between Lesnar and himself.

He’s not about to make one, though.

“It would be an honor to fight a guy like that, but I have a lot I need to do before I really even think about it more than a minute,” he said. “I’m trying to improve in every area. It’s not like I’m a finished product, by any means. I have a lot of questions to answer. I hope I have a good chin, but I haven’t been hit in a fight and I don’t know for sure. So I have a lot to do.

“The bottom line is, I can’t allow that kind of stuff to distract me or to get in the way of me doing what I have to do. When that time comes, if it comes, great. All I’m concerned about right now is the fight I have in front of me. I’ll let myself worry about that other stuff at the appropriate time.”


What are everyone's thoughts on this guy? He is currently 4-0, never being past the 4:00 minute mark in round 1. All wins by TKO.

[Vajramusti]

Cain Velasquez who defeated Nogueira with punching wrestled here at Arizona State University. He has always been willing to learn and his training ethic is as formidable as they come.His willingness to learn and his work ethic should carry him far.

joy chaudhuri

[Hebrew Hammer]

Uh ok...are you his manager?

[Vajramusti]

Uh ok...are you his manager?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nope


joy chaudhuri

[Three Harmonies]

Cain was awesome! His hand speed was second to none in the heavyweights! Very impressive fight!

Jake

[CFT]

Uh ok...are you his manager?Just local pride I guess. Nothing wrong with that. Joy is an Emeritus Professor at Arizona State University.

[Vajramusti]

Just local pride I guess. Nothing wrong with that. Joy is an Emeritus Professor at Arizona State University.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of my wing chun gung fu students- an all American wrestler was on the same team as Cain. Cain was the hardest worker on the team- wrestling continuously with opponent after opponent on the mat.
In preparation for mma he got other coaches for understanding a well rounded approach to the cage.My student was is also a hard worker but Cain was tops.Grapplers can be sometimes slow in developing striking skills...not the case with Cain.

BTW in a previous incarnation in a stint as a an academic administrator- most athletes were in my college- liberal arts and sciences-the biggest college in the largest U in the USA. Go Sun Devils!Douglas who was at Oklahoma State coached here before moving to Iowa State to coach wrestling. Wrestling does not draw as much of a paying audience in collegiate level compared to football and basketball and suffers budget cuts in our struggling economy. Wrestling is better supported at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma U (other past roots) and Iowa and Lehigh among other places. Oklahoma State historically filled every weight class position in matches.

joy chaudhuri

[Hebrew Hammer]

Nothing wrong with good ole fashioned pride...he put on a good show vs Nog, I'm still trying to figure out how he can defeat the champ though? Thats a tall order if he comes back healthy.

[Three Harmonies]

Are you referring to the trailer trash queen Lesnar? Cain will own him IMO. Cain's hands were amazingly fast!
JAB

[sanjuro_ronin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IttWvi3vJOE

:D

[MasterKiller]

Are you referring to the trailer trash queen Lesnar? Cain will own him IMO. Cain's hands were amazingly fast!
JAB

Lesner has 40 pounds on Cain, after his cut. That size differential will be difficult to overcome.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Lesner has 40 pounds on Cain, after his cut. That size differential will be difficult to overcome.

One any given Sunday...

[MasterKiller]

One any given Sunday...

That's what Mir said.

[Frost]

Are you referring to the trailer trash queen Lesnar? Cain will own him IMO. Cain's hands were amazingly fast!
JAB

if he can keep it standing maybe, but can he stop lesnar getting the takedown?
say what you like about him he is an amazing athlete and supremly quick with the takedown, and that 40 pound difference will matter alot

[Vajramusti]

Weight does count.And the weight difference is huge.

But Caine is young,in superb shape, has good health and discipline,has good technique, speed and timing
and courage. Could make it interesting.

joy chaudhuri

[jethro]

That's what Mir said.

So you are saying that Mir is right? And wrong? They are tied 1-1.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Are you referring to the trailer trash queen Lesnar? Cain will own him IMO. Cain's hands were amazingly fast!
JAB

I was indeed referring to said trailer trash, he is BIG and FAST...not saying Cain can't win...thats the thing about MMA, your strength can be countered with other techniques...IMO Cain would have to attack one of Lesners legs to slow him down then he could pummel him from the outside. Mir starting adding 15-20 lbs of bulk just to deal with Lesner!

And speaking of Mir...he just said he would break Lesner's neck in the ring...naughty naughty...I'd like to see Mir vs Cain too.

[Three Harmonies]

Lesnar is really not very talented. Big. Sure. Fast...not really, I would say explosive. Cain is an ex collegiate wrestler so I think he can defend against the takedown as well as anyone.

As for Mir... he made a critical mistake... why go to 1/2 guard in MMA???? I love 1/2 guard, but every time I pull it in Vale Tudo I eat leather! And I am no pro! Mir should have known better!

JAB

[Frost]

Lesnar is really not very talented. Big. Sure. Fast...not really, I would say explosive. Cain is an ex collegiate wrestler so I think he can defend against the takedown as well as anyone.

As for Mir... he made a critical mistake... why go to 1/2 guard in MMA???? I love 1/2 guard, but every time I pull it in Vale Tudo I eat leather! And I am no pro! Mir should have known better!

JAB

i think when it comes to collegiate wrestling cain is not in lesnars league

Mir is not a great MMA fighter really and you are right going to half guard is silly in MMA

[Wayfaring]

Lesner has 40 pounds on Cain, after his cut. That size differential will be difficult to overcome.

I actually like Shane Carwin's chances better than Cain's.

[Wayfaring]

Cain Velasquez who defeated Nogueira with punching wrestled here at Arizona State University. He has always been willing to learn and his training ethic is as formidable as they come.His willingness to learn and his work ethic should carry him far.

joy chaudhuri

joy,

You know Ryan Bader is local there too and came out of ASU's wrestling program. he still trains at ACS there in Tempe.

[GreenCloudCLF]

Lesnar is really not very talented. Big. Sure. Fast...not really, I would say explosive. Cain is an ex collegiate wrestler so I think he can defend against the takedown as well as anyone.

As for Mir... he made a critical mistake... why go to 1/2 guard in MMA???? I love 1/2 guard, but every time I pull it in Vale Tudo I eat leather! And I am no pro! Mir should have known better!

JAB

Not talented? Listen, I personally hate Lesnar and all he stands for. But lets be realistic. The guy was the 2000 NCAA Heavyweight champion and his record stood at 106 - 5 for his college career. If that is not talented, I really suck.

[Three Harmonies]

I thought we were addressing Lesnar's MMA career (or lack there of)? Yes he was a solid wrestler, but it takes more than just wrestling to make an MMA fighter.

[B.Tunks]

Velasquez would smash Lesnar.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Lesnar is really not very talented.
JAB

You're going to stick to that story? He's defeated two former Heavy Weight Champs soundly, he was a collegiate champ, and he was even offered a chance to try out for a pro football team and he's not talented? You must have lofty standards indeed, my friend.

Don't mistake me here, I'm not on his jock, I just respect him...I think he can be defeated, as any man can, but to say he's not a very talented athlete or fighter would be an injustice.

[Frost]

I thought we were addressing Lesnar's MMA career (or lack there of)? Yes he was a solid wrestler, but it takes more than just wrestling to make an MMA fighter.

Cains had what 5 or 6 fights in the UFC, hardly a massive fight record either, brocks faught two ex champs and beaten them, i think they are pretty even on the MMA record and lesnar is the better grappler, not to mention the much bigger man

[Vajramusti]

Cains had what 5 or 6 fights in the UFC, hardly a massive fight record either, brocks faught two ex champs and beaten them, i think they are pretty even on the MMA record and lesnar is the better grappler, not to mention the much bigger man
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again- I understand the big weight difference. What will happen, will happen.
But Cain's learning curve is sharply up ward - he is in top shape.
Lesnar is more at a standstill and his unfortunate health related training interruption could be factors too.


Go Sun Devil.

joy chaudhuri

[Vajramusti]

joy,

You know Ryan Bader is local there too and came out of ASU's wrestling program. he still trains at ACS there in Tempe.
-----------------------------------------------------------
There are several from that team that headed for mma training[some to California.

joy chaudhuri

[Frost]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again- I understand the big weight difference. What will happen, will happen.
But Cain's learning curve is sharply up ward - he is in top shape.
Lesnar is more at a standstill and his unfortunate health related training interruption could be factors too.


Go Sun Devil.

joy chaudhuri

lensar showed great improvements in his ground game and standup between the two Mir fights, but i agree the health issues might harm him, personally i would like to see the heavyweight division smaller in size and a super heavyweight division over 250 brought in

[goju]

even with the weight difference it will come down to who is stronger

if cain is stronger than brock then obviously brock is in trouble despite having pounds on him:D

[Frost]

Most of the guys that now fight HW in MMA when they wrestled in collage did so at much lower weights because they weren't strong enough to wrestle at HW, the fact that lesnar actually wrestled at over 220 means a) he is natuarlly a big athletic monster, and b) he is very strong, if he was not his coaches would have made him cut weight. His size and athletism can also be seen in his trying out and almost making a pro football team dispite not having played at college level, as an athlete he is a feak and i doubt anyone at HW is stronger than him

[weakstudent]

I thought we were addressing Lesnar's MMA career (or lack there of)? Yes he was a solid wrestler, but it takes more than just wrestling to make an MMA fighter.

lesner has like 5 fights under his belt, and is a champion, he fought two former heavyweight champions and is two and one losing to mir which is no disgrace especially it being his second or third fight( not sure). but he beat mir in the rematch and beat randy, and this is with the least mma experience of any one of the heavyweights contenders. i just think mma guys can't handle that a fake fighter(pro wrestling) has the title

[goju]

its amusing too considering what pro wrestlers put their bodies through and how often they injure themselves that it is called fake

id take being a cage fighter anyday over being a pro wrestler lol

[Frost]

its fake but no one said it was easy:D

[gwa sow]

maybe choreographed would be a better description

[Yung Apprentice]

Cain is an excellent wrestler and so is Brock. I think Cain is a bit more technically proficient then Brock, IMO. Cain has quick, precise hands as shown against NOG, but Brock who is a very sloppy striker, has a ton of power.

I like Cain in this fight, because he has shown he can take down bigger opponents. He tossed Ben Rothwell around like a rag doll, and although Ben isn't a wrestler like Brock, he weighs A LOT, and Cain tossed him around like nothing.

Brock has yet to fight a wrestler like Cain. Yes he fought Randy, but Randy was (is) past his prime, and was more of a Greco Roman wrestler.

I think Cain can put him on his back, and we really have yet to see Brock fight from there. If stays standing, Cain wins too. Brock's biggest hole in his game is striking. Frank Mir had success standing against him in their last fight before he screwed up and got taken down.

[Frost]

Cain is an excellent wrestler and so is Brock. I think Cain is a bit more technically proficient then Brock, IMO. Cain has quick, precise hands as shown against NOG, but Brock who is a very sloppy striker, has a ton of power.

I like Cain in this fight, because he has shown he can take down bigger opponents. He tossed Ben Rothwell around like a rag doll, and although Ben isn't a wrestler like Brock, he weighs A LOT, and Cain tossed him around like nothing.

Brock has yet to fight a wrestler like Cain. Yes he fought Randy, but Randy was (is) past his prime, and was more of a Greco Roman wrestler.

I think Cain can put him on his back, and we really have yet to see Brock fight from there. If stays standing, Cain wins too. Brock's biggest hole in his game is striking. Frank Mir had success standing against him in their last fight before he screwed up and got taken down.

Taking down a big opponent, and taking down a former heavyweight NCAA champ are two different things. i would love to see cain put brock on his back but there is no way short of an act of god (or a nice punch) this is going to happen.

[goju]

Taking down a big opponent, and taking down a former heavyweight NCAA champ are two different things. i would love to see cain put brock on his back but there is no way short of an act of god (or a nice punch) this is going to happen.

yes it will likely happen by a punch after all this isnt a wrestling match its an mma fight and cain has better strikes than lesnar soooooooo.:D

[Frost]

yes it will likely happen by a punch after all this isnt a wrestling match its an mma fight and cain has better strikes than lesnar soooooooo.:D

really does he? lesnar managed to survive with mir and randy, both are meant to be good strikers, and when 2 wrestlers meet in the cage it does often turn into a wrestling match

[SAAMAG]

Just local pride I guess. Nothing wrong with that. Joy is an Emeritus Professor at Arizona State University.

Hey I didn't know you (Joy) were a [retired] college professor! Thanks be to you then. IMO its one of the most important professions in our country.

I wish all teachers would get paid better...its a shame that guys who can throw a ball in a basket get paid millions in comparison to someone who actually improves the quality of life for our society.

[Vajramusti]

I have worn several hats- but I treasure my martial art hat.My other life is not really relevant in martial arts forums. Thanks though,
joy chaudhuri

PS- I dont know whether Lessner and Cain will ever be matched. Overcoming the weight disadvantage will be a real challenge for Cain. He cannot make a mistake.Cain is technically very good - an incredibly hard and dedicated athlete.Time is on his side...though comparatively speaking weight isn't. Remains to be seen whether the bigger guy will recover from his health setback.

[Merryprankster]

Lesner has 40 pounds on Cain, after his cut. That size differential will be difficult to overcome.


This.

People don't understand the advantage that Lesnar is walking around with - not being a ****, but we do this "size doesn't matter thing," an awful lot, and boy does it ever!!! Mir beat an inexperienced Lesnar, and that was after what I consider a questionable separation by the ref when Lesnar had him on queer street.

Velasquez may be strong enough and athletic enough to outwork Lesnar. HOWEVER, people (not necessarily here) seem to be forgetting that Lesnar was an NCAA Champ as well. The man knows how to work - people who have not wrestled in college, or competed at high levels in a contact sport do not understand the kind of work it takes to win. You aren't just "more talented, or more gifted," because EVERYBODY is at that point. You have to work your ass off.

If Lesnar chooses to do so, this is going to be an incredibly tough fight for Cain. Cain's best option will, in my opinion, be to try and outstrike Lesnar. Grappling with him is a recipe for either being dominated, or wearing yourself out.

Personally, if both perform to potential, it's going to make a boring HW division. It will be Brock, then Cain, then everybody else.

[goju]

lolw atch cain double leg brock and slap him silly for one round now :D

most of that ufc is like that though i dotn see anyone giving bj, silva, st pierre,lyoto and possbly brock a run for their money anytime soon

[Frost]

lolw atch cain double leg brock and slap him silly for one round now :D

most of that ufc is like that though i dotn see anyone giving bj, silva, st pierre,lyoto and possbly brock a run for their money anytime soon

Listen to merry he is very experienced in grappling/wrestling and in competing, what he says makes a lot of sense

Ill give you BJ, silva and GSP but i think Lyoto will have his hands full for a bit, lol i think he actually lost that last fight, although luckily for him the judges somehow scored it for him, god knows what angle they were watching from

[Vajramusti]

Too bad Cain hasa major rotator cuff injury..after multiple opinions- he is headed for surgery and months of therapy and recovery. But at Arizona State U and continuing onwards- he was/is super fit and dedicated and should recover well. Too bad he is out for a while.

joy chaudhuri

[GeneChing]

Judge denies bail to UFC champion charged in shooting (https://nypost.com/2022/03/08/judge-denies-bail-to-cain-velasquez-ufc-champion-charged-in-shooting/)
By Associated Press
March 8, 2022 12:37am Updated

https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/AP22066779451459.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1476
Cain Velasquez listens during a hearing at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice. A judge had denied bail to former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez, who was charged with attempted murder after authorities said he fired at a pickup truck carrying a man accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old family member.
Aric Crabb

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A judge in California denied bail Monday to former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, who faces attempted murder and multiple gun assault charges after authorities said he fired at a pickup truck carrying a man accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old family member.

Velasquez was arrested in San Jose last week after he chased a pickup carrying the man through busy streets in three Silicon Valley cities, ramming the vehicle with his own pickup truck during an 11-mile (18-kilometer) high-speed chase, prosecutors said.

Velasquez, 39, fired a .40-caliber pistol at the vehicle several times, wounding the man’s stepfather, who was driving, in his arm and torso, prosecutors said.

Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who is representing Velasquez, told reporters outside the court that he plans on vindicating his client and getting him back with his family, the Mercury News reported.

Velasquez transitioned to pro-wrestling after retiring from his MMA career in 2019. A former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, he earned title belts in 2010 and 2012.

https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/AP22066779037516.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=2048
Supporters of Cain Velasquez gather outside the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice.
Aric Crabb
https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/AP22066779254339.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=2048
Attorney Mark Geragos, left, representing Cain Velasquez, speaks to the media in front of the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice.
Aric Crabb

threads
Busted-MMA-fighters-and-fights (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?52219-Busted-MMA-fighters-and-fights)
Cain-Velasquez (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53142-Cain-Velasquez)

[GeneChing]

Judge allows Cain Velasquez to travel to wrestling match (https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/judge-allows-cain-velasquez-to-travel-to-wrestling-match/)
by: Amy Larson

Posted: Nov 22, 2022 / 06:37 PM PST
Updated: Nov 23, 2022 / 09:42 AM PST

https://www.kron4.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/11/cain-getty-images1.jpg?w=1920&h=1080&crop=1

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will be returning to the wrestling ring thanks to a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge who granted his request to travel outside of California.

On Tuesday, Judge Arthur Bocanegra granted Velasquez’s request for permission to travel to Arizona over the objections of prosecutors.

That means the fighter can now compete in a pro wrestling match, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, even though he is facing an attempted murder charge.

https://www.kron4.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2022/11/cain-in-court.jpg?resize=2048,1491
Cain Velasquez, right, appears in court on Nov. 21, 2022, in San Jose. Velasquez is charged with shooting at an accused child molester. (Dai Sugano /Bay Area News Group / Pool)

The MMA star was recently released from jail after serving months behind bars without bail. Judge Bocanegra granted a $1 million bail despite prosecutors’ assertions that Velasquez is a threat to public safety.

Prosecutors charged the MMA star with attempted murder after he attempted to kill an accused child molester in Morgan Hill, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Velasquez’s defense attorney said Harry Goularte is a predatory pedophile who molested Velasquez’s 4-year-old son at a daycare operated by Goularte’s mother. Goularte was arrested by San Martin police and charged with child molestation.

San Jose police said Velasquez chased Goularte’s pickup truck for 10 miles, at times leaning out the window to open fire. The high-speed chase ended after Goularte’s stepfather was shot in the arm and Velasquez surrendered to police on February 28.

Velasquez celebrated Tuesday’s legal victory on Twitter. He tweeted in Spanish, “I am very happy to return to @luchalibreaaa. See you in Tempe, Arizona this December 3, Mullett Arena.”
I hope he does well.