Cain Velasquez’s return to mixed martial arts (MMA) action is on the horizon. The former UFC heavyweight king will return to the Octagon this weekend (Sat. February 17, 2019) in Phoenix, Arizona. Velasquez will share the cage with feared knockout artist Francis Ngannou. They’ll headline UFC on ESPN 1 from the Talking Stick Resort Arena. This will be the Mexican star’s first fight in over two years.
In his absence, Velasquez’s teammate, Daniel Cormier, has gained control of the heavyweight division. Speaking to “The MMA Hour” recently, Cormier discussed his friend’s return to fighting. “DC” said as soon as he’s retired and gone from the division, he believes Velasquez will be a heavyweight champion again (via MMA Mania):
“You’re going to see vintage, you’re going to see the best. Nothing has changed. He is still as good, still as fast. He still can wrestle, as well. You have to remember, this whole time off he’s been helping me the whole time,” Velasquez said.
“He will be the champ, very, very soon. As soon as I’m out of there he will be the champ. The only issue with that is, the UFC has to know, now Cain is healthy and they can trust him because he will be around for a while.”
Velasquez’s return will be no easy task. He faces one of the most feared knockout artists the division has ever seen in Ngannou. After suffering the first back-to-back defeats of his UFC career, Ngannou bounced back with a first-round thrashing of Curtis Blaydes in Beijing. Now,
Ngannou will face the toughest test of his career, against, arguably, the greatest heavyweight MMA has ever seen.
What do you think about Cormier saying Velasquez will be heavyweight champion again?
