Cain Velasquez had a successful UFC career, but constant injuries prevented him from reaching his full potential, and he is considered one of the greatest “what-ifs” in the history of the sport.
Cain Velasquez had an impressive UFC career, despite battling numerous injuries that limited his time in the octagon. With two reigns as UFC heavyweight champion, Velasquez’s record of 12-3 in the UFC speaks to his skill and dominance when he was able to compete. However, his career was marred by long stretches of inactivity due to injuries, with three years during which he didn’t compete at all. Despite these setbacks, those who saw Velasquez at his best recognize his talent and potential.
Daniel Cormier, a close friend and former teammate of Velasquez, attests to his dominance when healthy, noting that Velasquez was almost unstoppable. Even Cormier, who became a two-division champion in the UFC, acknowledges that Velasquez was the best. Despite his own success, Cormier chose to drop down to 205 pounds to avoid facing Velasquez as a heavyweight.
Velasquez briefly considered facing Jon Jones, the light heavyweight champion, in a highly anticipated matchup that never came to fruition. Many, including Cormier, expressed disappointment at missing out on the potential spectacle of a Velasquez vs. Jones fight, recognizing the enormous business potential that the matchup would have had in the UFC.
Despite his career being overshadowed by injuries and missed opportunities, Velasquez’s impact on the sport of MMA is significant, and his undeniable talent continues to be recognized by his peers.