Cain Velasquez

At 42 years old, Cain Velasquez has this physical status:

Can Ramirez Velasquez (born July 28, 1982) is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist.

He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and two-time champion.

He has competed in the Mexican promotion AAA and is now signed to WWE as a professional wrestler.

Early life and education

Can Velasquez was born in Salinas, California, to Efra and Isabel Velasquez. Efra'n had emigrated from Sonora, Mexico, as an unlawful immigrant, where he met Isabel, an American-born woman. They began dating and later married, which allowed Efra'n to obtain American citizenship. There were three children in the Velasquez household: Efran Jr., Adela, and Can.

Velasquez was born in Yuma, Arizona. He graduated from Kofa High School, where he set a record of 110-10 and captured the 5A Arizona Wrestling Championship twice. Velasquez has played football for three years. He spent time as a captain of both his wrestling and football teams as a senior. He was a linebacker for a football player.

He attended Iowa Central Community College, wrestling for one season (2001–02) and winning the NJCAA National Championship in the heavyweight (285 lb limit) division after high school. Velasquez later transferred to Arizona State University. He competed for the Sun Devils for three seasons, winning 5th in the country in 2005 and fourth in 2006. Velasquez met with future UFC fighters Ryan Bader and C.B. while ASU's at ASU. Dollaway, Dollaway. In 2006, he graduated from ASU, earning a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Personal life

Velasquez speaks both English and Spanish. He has appeared on the Spanish-language television networks Telemundo and Univision, as well as Mexico's Televisa Deportes. He appeared on the TBS late night show Lopez Tonight in addition to his Spanish-language TV appearances. Velasquez is best known for sporting a prominent "Brown Pride" tattoo on his upper chest. This tattoo, he claims, is a nodote to his Mexican roots.

Velasquez and his partner Michelle have a daughter born in 2009 and a son born in 2018. The couple married on May 28, 2011.

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Mixed martial arts career

Velasquez started his mixed martial arts career right after college, joining American Kickboxing Academy. Velasquez, a brown belt in Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu, is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Leandro Vieira, as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a NCAA Division I wrestler.

Velasquez made his MMA debut against Jesse Fujarczyk at Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello, losing by TKO in the first round. Velasquez defeated Jeremiah Constant, who was still undefeated at BodogFight: St. Petersburg, winning via TKO in the first round.

Velasquez made his UFC debut against Brad Morris at UFC 83 and gained by TKO in the first round.

Velasquez defeated Jake O'Brien in round one of UFC Fight Night 14 via TKO in round one.

Velasquez appeared at Denis Stojni's at UFC Fight Night 17. Velasquez was named 'Knockout of the Night' honors for his effort in the second round after winning by TKO in the second round.

Velasquez's next fight was against former kickboxer and heavyweight champion Cheick Kongo at UFC 99. Velasquez was once more dominant, scoring 251 strikes and winning the contest by a unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).

Shane Carwin was expected to face Shane Carwin in the UFC Heavyweight Championship, which was likely to be contested by Brock Lesnar. However, the match was called off, and Velasquez was instead told that he would face Ben Rothwell, a newcomer to UFC Central. He beat Rothwell by TKO in the second round.

On February 20, 2010, Velasquez met former Pride Heavyweight Champion and former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Antônio Rodrigo Nobrego, who died in UFC 110. Some commentators predicted that No. 2 would win due to a reportedly poor strike strength for Velasquez going into the fight. Velasquez defeated No. 0 in the first round of the World Championships, bringing Knockout of the Night accolades to No.

Velasquez won a UFC Heavyweight Championship match against No. 121, defeating No. 1 in No. 121. Lesnar vs. Velasquez was the upcoming UFC Primetime fight back in UFC Primetime. In the first round, Velasquez defeated Lesnar via TKO, bringing Knockout of the Night honors.

During his fight with Lesnar, Velasquez sustained a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and was forecast to be out of service for at least six to eight months. The shoulder reconstruction was fruitful, and Velasquez expected to return as soon as Fall 2011.

Velasquez was supposed to defend Junior dos Santos with a target date of November 19, 2011, but the fight was postponed until November 12, 2011 to headline the first UFC on Fox 1 event. Velasquez died by KO (punches) at 1 minute and 4 seconds of the first round. Dos Santos suffered a minor knee injury (a torn meniscus) and required cortisone injection into the knee before the combat, according to later. Velasquez had resurrected his rotator cuff about a week before the fight, prompting this news. Following the fight, junior Dos Santos underwent knee surgery.

Velasquez was expected to face Frank Mir at UFC 146 on May 26, 2012. Mir was then sent to face junior Santos because of Alistair Overeem's elevated testosterone levels. Velasquez instead met Antônio Silva. Velasquez defeated Silva via first-round TKO in a fight that saw Silva bleed profusely from his forehead. Dana White argued that Velasquez would be the next fighter to challenge for the UFC Heavyweight Championship after the fight. White is widely believed that he made the decision to rematch with Dos Santos at a time when both fighters were injured going into their first fight.

On September 22, 2012, UFC 152 would host a rematch with dos Santos Santos. However, the match's date was later scheduled for UFC 155. Velasquez won the UFC heavyweight championship in a thrilling match (50–48, 50–43, and 50–44). Velasquez was the first fighter in UFC history to land triple digits and double digits in takedowns landed in a single battle, resulting in 111 significant strikes and 11 takedowns.

Velasquez met Antônio Silva in a rematch on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160, in his first title defense. Velasquez was crowned TKO in the first round of the tournament.

At UFC 166 in Houston, Texas, Junior dos Santos took place. Velasquez TKO in the fifth round at 3:09 p.m., successfully defending his title.

The UFC announced Velasquez and Fabrcio Werdum as coaches for the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America on April 29, 2014, with the two teams set to face each other at UFC 180 on November 15, 2014. Velasquez, on October 21, 2014, had to withdraw from the tournament due to a torn maniscus and sprained MCL in his right knee, and Mark Hunt had to take his place. Velasquez underwent successful surgery on October 23, 2014 to repair his torn meniscus.

On June 13, 2015, UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Fabrcio Werdum clashed with UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Fabrce Werdum took place at UFC 188. Velasquez was disqualified in the third round of a back-and-forth confrontation due to a guillotine choke submission. Velasquez would later admit that he was not fully prepared for the fight, which takes place in Mexico City, which is at an elevation of 7,300 feet, because he had only moved his camp to elevation two weeks before the day of the card. In comparison, Werdum spent more than a month in Mexico City to get used to the higher altitude.

A rematch with Werdum was supposed to take place on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82, before both fighters resigned due to injuries.

Velasquez appeared next at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016. In the closing seconds of the first round, he was able to win via TKO.

The rematch against Werdum was postponed and scheduled to take place on December 30, 2016, UFC 207. However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to allow Velasquez to fight, finding that after physical examinations and interviews, he was not able to compete due to bone spurs on his back.

Velasquez headlined UFC's inaugural match against Francis Ngannou on February 17, 2019, in the first fight of his new, four-fight deal. He lost the game by being knocked out less than 30 seconds into round one.

Velasquez's first appearance for the WWE in October 4, 2019, it was announced that Velasquez would be withdrawing from the USADA testing pool to concentrate on his professional wrestling career. On October 11, 2019, Velasquez announced his retirement from MMA.

Professional wrestling career

Velasquez has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was a boy. He was discovered to work in the WWE Performance Center under head coach Norman Smiley on July 19, 2018, and afterwards attended Diamond Dallas Page's yoga class. The previous night, he had attended an NXT event.

Velasquez, a heavyweight champion in Mexico, has signed a multi-match contract with Mexican professional wrestling company Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Velasquez made his debut in Tripleman XXVII, partnering Cody Rhodes and Psycho Clown to face Texano Jr. and Killer Kross in a trios match. Many followers were taken aback by Velasquez' debut, as he wore a luchador mask throughout the game and demonstrated several athletic feats, such as using a hurricanrana. Velasquez won over his team by presenting Texano Jr. with a Kimura lock. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer and several other notable wrestling journalists, as well as Velasquez's American Kickboxing Academy teammate Daniel Cormier's lauded Velasquez's in-ring debut. Velasquez played in his second and final AAA match at Lucha Invades, NY, where he teamed with Brian Cage and Psycho Clown to defeat Rey Escorpión, Taurus, and Taurus.

Velasquez's WWE debut on Fox on Sunday, as well as the show's 20th anniversary, was a measure of revenge for Lesnar's beating Mysterio and his son, Dominik, earlier this week. Before Lesnar escaped and returned, Velasquez beat him with punches. Velasquez was supposed to face Lesnar at Crown Jewel for the WWE Championship on October 31, which Velasquez missed. Lesnar attacked Velasquez with a steel chair and gave an F-5 to another steel chair before Mysterio intervened and saved him. WWE had intended to use Velasquez at their Royal Rumble pay-per-view function in January 2020, but the plan was scrapped due to a lack of funds. Velasquez was pushed out of his WWE gig due to budget cuts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on April 28, 2020.

Velasquez will be returning to AAA on December 4 after it was revealed on October 9. Velasquez would fly with Psycho Clown and Pagano against Los Mercenarios (Rey Escorpion and Taurus) and a mystery partner at Tripleman's Regia II on October 18, as well as a mystery partner at Tripleman's Regia II.

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