Cain Velasquez

Cain Ramirez Velasquez (born July 28, 1982) is a Mexican American mixed martial artist and the current UFC Heavyweight Champion. He is a two-time All-American collegiate wrestler from Arizona State and a Junior College National Champ at Iowa Central Community College. He is a two-time 5A state champion in Arizona, Compiling a record of 110-10 for Kofa High School located in Yuma, Arizona under Shawn Rustad and Marty Niblo. He currently competes in the UFC in the heavyweight division. As of June 29, 2010, he is ranked as the #4 heavyweight in the world by Sherdog and MMAweekly, and #6 by MMAfighting.com. Cain also has never lost a round in mixed martial arts competition. Velasquez, who trains at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA, won the No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt championships roughly a year after starting submission grappling. He currently holds a purple belt under Dave Camarillo.

Early life

Velasquez was born on July 28, 1982 in Salinas, California to Efrain and Isabel Velasquez. Cain's father, Efrain, came to the United States after six previous attempts in order to better his life and on the seventh attempt he succeeded. Efrain met his wife Isabel in the fields of Yuma, Arizona. After Efrain married Isabel and gained citizenship to the U.S., the couple had three children, Adela Garcia, Efrain Jr. Velasquez and Cain Velasquez.

Cain graduated from Kofa High School, where he went 110-10 from competing in Wrestling for four years in Kofa and won the 5A Arizona Wrestling Championship twice. Cain also played football for three years, and was the captain of his Wrestling and Football team in his senior year.

After Kofa, he graduated Iowa Central Community College with a Associates degree, he also wrestled for one season and won the NJCAA National Championship.

After Iowa Central Community College, he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Education. He wrestled there for three seasons, and compiled a record of 86-17 and was placed 5th in the country in wrestling in 2005, and placed 4th in 2006. Cain also wrestled along side of UFC Fighters, Ryan Bader and CB Dolloway while at ASU.

Mixed martial arts career

Cain began his mixed martial arts career right after college, joining American Kickboxing Academy, Velasquez is purple belt in Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu and a NCAA Division I Wrestler. He has notable wins over Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Brock Lesnar.

Early career

Cain began his MMA career right after college, joining American Kickboxing Academy and made his debut on October 7, 2006 against Jesse Fujarczyk at Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello, he won by TKO in the first round. Velasquez then faced Jeremiah Constant at BodogFight: St. Petersburg, he won via TKO in the first round at the 4 minute mark.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Velasquez made his UFC debut against Brad Morris at UFC 83 and won due to strikes in the first round. In his next fight, Velasquez defeated Jake O'Brien at UFC Fight Night 14 by TKO in round one. Velasquez then faced Denis Stojnić at UFC Fight Night 17 and the fight was stopped in round two with Velasquez earning the victory by TKO. Velasquez's next fight was in UFC 99 against former kickboxer and established UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo. Velasquez was once again dominant, landing 251 strikes and winning the bout by unanimous decision.

Velasquez's next opponent was scheduled to be Shane Carwin for the number one contendership of the UFC Heavyweight Championship held by Brock Lesnar. Velasquez was instead told he would be fighting Ben Rothwell at UFC 104. Velasquez was 7–0 after defeating Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 with a TKO at 0:58 of round 2.

Velasquez faced former Pride Heavyweight Champion and former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on February 20, 2010 at UFC 110. Dana White had promised the winner a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Title after Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin's fight.Going into the fight, the majority of media sources predicted that Nogueira would take the victory due to a supposed lack of striking power for Velasquez. They were proven wrong when Velasquez defeated Nogueira via knockout (punches) at 2:20 of round one. In doing so, Velasquez became the second man to defeat Nogueira by way of legitimate knockout, as opposed to TKO.

Winning the Heavyweight Championship

Dana White announced via SportsNation that the UFC would be bringing back UFC Primetime to promote Lesnar vs. Velasquez at UFC 121.

Velasquez defeated Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Championship on October 23, 2010 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California at UFC 121. He defeated Lesnar by TKO at 4:12 into round 1 to win the title. Coming into the fight, Cain had outlanded his last five opponents by a tally of 481 to 63.

Personal life

Velasquez speaks English and Spanish fluently and has been a guest star on the Spanish-language TV networks Telemundo and Univision.

Velasquez and his girlfriend welcomed a daughter on May 6, 2009. The couple got engaged in Australia after UFC 110

Accomplishments

Collegiate wrestling

* Two-time All-American Div 1 NCAA Wrestler

* 2002 NJCAA Collegiate Wrestling Heavyweight Championship while in Iowa Central Community College

* Placed 5th place in the 2005 NCAA Division I Collegiate Championship at Heavyweight while in Arizona State University

* Placed 4th place in the 2006 NCAA Division I Collegiate Championship at Heavyweight while in Arizona State University

* 2005 Pac-10 Conference Wrestler of the Year

Ultimate Fighting Championship

* UFC Heavyweight Championship (1 time, current)

* Knockout of the Night (3 times)

(source:wikipedia)