(Video courtesy YouTube/ESPN)
Number one UFC heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez was on Friday night’s episode of MMA Live to talk about his upcoming UFC 121 showdown with heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar in October in Anaheim, California.
In the interview, the undefeated American Kickboxing Academy product, who has been sitting out since February waiting for his shot at Lesnar, weighed in on the champ’s win over Shane Carwin at UFC 116, the biggest hurdles he will face going up against a guy of Brock’s size, strength and wrestling pedigree and the advantages he feels he needs to utilize to pull out a win in the fall.
Here’s what Cain had to say:
About Lesnar’s gutsy UFC 116 win over Carwin:
"I think Brock showed a lot of heart finishing out that first round and weathering Shane Carwin’s ground and pound and stand-up. And coming back in the second round and getting that submission. I don’t think a lot of guys could have survived that first round."
About facing a high-level wrestler the size of Brock:
"When you have somebody that big, that strong and that powerful who knows how to wrestle that well, it’s going to be tough, but I have good training partners and I have guys coming in to emulate his size, strength and wrestling, so I’m doing all the right things to get ready for this fight."
About how he sees the fight playing out:
"I’m expecting to go everywhere in the fight. I’m expecting to do some stand-up, go on the ground, do some wrestling. I for train all my fights that way. I don’t expect him to be one dimensional, but I do expect him to try that shot on me, so I just need to be ready."
About his advantages in the fight:
"I think [my biggest advantage is] having more experience with the stand-up — just being more comfortable with it I think right now. My movement; I think my movement’s really [good] Those kind of things I’m going to put in there and [implement] in my game plan against Brock."
It was interesting to hear Kenny Florian say that Cain may well be "the most skilled heavyweight out there" and Pat Miletich mention that Velasquez’s boxing is the best of any heavyweight on the UFC’s current roster.
Expect an angry James Toney video blog disputing Pat’s claim.
Cagepotato Comments
Showing 1-25 of comments
commentsThere was a countdown episode where he really rubbed me the wrong way. All he wanted to talk about was how proud he was of being Mexican and how his dad had to cross the boarder 15 times before he was able to establish himself here. Well Cain, if your dad was trying that hard to get away from Mexico so he could live here then maybe it's really not that great.. you could say something nice about America considering this is where you found your success. I'm not saying he should't be proud of his heritage, but he should be proud and thankful for America too. He never said a word about it during that show, that pissed me off.
I think that coming into this fight, the biggest question I would ask them would be:
"Given that you both have such a strong wrestling pedigree, do you think this fight will end up being decided by who has the gayest chest art?"
I like Dos Santos and all,but I absolutely want to see the spectacle that would be Brock Lesnar Vs. Roy Nelson.
I respect your opinion, but if you could just elaborate a little more than a simple no, it would help tons. I'm not saying Cain's going to just one punch Brock the Rock, but it could go into round 2 or 3 for sure. Cain's a beast. Although I do agree that JDS has the superior boxing.
It's crazy to admit that the UFC's heavyweight division is my favorite to watch (mmm maybe 205), compared to how shitty it was when it was simply Arlovski and Sylvia going at it over and over.
Do you consider Minnesota to be part of Aztlan?
Would you be offended if Brock got an Albino Pride tattoo before the fight?
What has the beefier hydraulic system; your lowrider or his John Deere?
Since you are both highly decorated wrestlers, what's the over/under on this fight being a one round kickboxing match?
WAR TONEY!!!!
Expect an angry James Toney video blog disputing Pat's claim.
I can only hope.
Someone needs to inform Toney of Militech's claim.
No.
And I believe this fight will be much close than most Lesner die-hards believe.
No?
Okay, sorry. I didn't say that then