Fighter Profile: Cain Velasquez

Overall Record: 7-0

UFC Record: 5-0

Hometown: Yuma, Arizona

Height: 6’2” Weight: 245

Age: 26

Cain Velasquez is a former collegiate wrestler that has successfully transitioned into a mixed martial arts fighter in the heavyweight division for the UFC. He refines his all-around skill-set while training and fighting out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California.

Before his MMA career, Velasquez was a Junior College champion wrestler at Iowa Central Community College and a two-time Division I All-American at Arizona State University. During his three seasons at Arizona State, from 2003-2006, he compiled an overall record of 77-37. In addition, Velasquez was named the 2005 Pac-10 wrestler of the year.

After putting a cap on his successful collegiate wrestling career, Velasquez began a new journey into the world of mixed martial arts. His first stop was on the October 2006 “Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello” card opposite Jesse Fujarczyk. It took less than two minutes for Velasquez to pound out Fujarczyk for his first career win.

Two months after his debut win, Velasquez was in the ring again fighting for BoDog Fight. It took him exactly 4:00 to TKO Jeremiah Constant at BoDog Fight: Clash of Nations. Only two months after his rookie fight and the Arizona State graduate was 2-0 in his MMA career.

After only two bouts Velasquez impressed the UFC brass, who signed the former wrestling standout, to a UFC contract early in 2008. Soon after signing his contract he was on the UFC 83 preliminary card versus fellow UFC rookie Brad Morris. Although his UFC opponent had changed the result stayed the same, earning a TKO win over Morris at 2:10 of the 1st round.

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Successful in his debut and barely any damage incurred, Velasquez was back in the octagon three months later at UFC Fight Night 14 at The Pearl in Las Vegas against 10-1 - Jake O’Brien. By far the most experienced and talented opponent he faced in his career, Velasquez demolished his fourth straight opponent with his fourth consecutive 1st round TKO.

Steadily climbing the ladder in the UFC heavyweight division, Velasquez welcomed another promotional rookie in Dennis Stojnic at UFC Fight Night 17 in February 2009. Stojnic was able to do what no other opponent before him could accomplish by making it into the 2nd round. The outcome was still the same however, as Velasquez beat up his fifth straight opponent with his heavy hands.

In just a little over a year Velasquez has quietly established himself as a legitimate contender for the UFC heavyweight title belt. His toughest task no doubt will take place June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Germany at UFC 99. Velasquez will face former kick-boxer and established contender Cheick Kongo, who is replacing the injured Heath Herring.

His next step in his progression as a MMA fighter will be tested in his next fight. A win over a complete fighter such as Kongo will vault Velasquez into immediate championship contention. Whether or not he is ready for a top five ranked heavyweight and a title shot, is still yet to be determined.

Recent Cain Velasquez News:

• Defeated Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 on October 24, 2009 - UFC 104 results

• Will face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia on February 21, 2010 - UFC 110 fight card & results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Published June 2009, Updated January 2010

Photo courtesy of UFC, Video by Scott Dryden of ProFighting-fans.com