American · Salinas, USA · Born 28 July 1982Cain Velasquez is a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history, retiring in 2019.
Cain Velasquez compiled a 110-10 high school wrestling record in Arizona and won two state championships before wrestling collegiately -- the kind of amateur base that regularly produces UFC champions, but rarely ones who dominate the heavyweight division the way Velasquez did against opponents who typically relied on power rather than wrestling pedigree. His title fights against Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos were among the most-watched heavyweight bouts of their era, and his combination of wrestling control with a cardio base that heavyweights rarely match made him a genuinely unusual champion in a division normally decided by whoever lands the bigger shot first. Velasquez's two UFC Heavyweight Championship reigns, in 2010 and again in 2012, came in a division where reigns are typically short and title changes are frequent -- a reflection of how physically demanding it is to sustain wrestling-based control against opponents built specifically to end fights early.
Dominant two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion; wrestling-based ground-and-pound
How They Played
Velasquez was known for his exceptional cardio and relentless pressure, maintaining a pace that exhausted much larger opponents. He combined elite-level wrestling with improved striking, using his wrestling to control fights and his boxing to inflict damage. His signature style involved constant forward pressure, dirty boxing in the clinch, and ground-and-pound from top position.
Lasting Impact
Velasquez revolutionized the heavyweight division by proving that cardio and pace could overcome size and power at the highest level. He inspired a generation of Mexican-American fighters and brought significant Latino fan support to the UFC.
Career Honours
- UFC Heavyweight Champion 2010, 2012
American Athletes