Heavyweight juggernaut Cain Velasquez burst onto the MMA scene in 2006, winning his first two professional fights by TKO (punches) in the first round before he was, reportedly, unable to find another opponent willing to fight him. This prompted a premature move to the UFC, the premier mixed martial arts organization in the world, in 2008, before Velasquez had fully developed.

With some unsure of Velasquez’s chances in the reinvigorated heavyweight division, the Mexican-American heavyweight quickly silenced the skeptics with a series of crushing wins over Brad Morris, Jake O’Brien, Denis Stojnic, Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell, and MMA legend and former UFC and Pride Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, finishing all of them save for Kongo with strikes. His smothering attacking style and eery calm in the Octagon had UFC announcer Joe Rogan annointing him one of the “spookiest,” and best, young prospects in the organization. Meanwhile, some of those who trained with Velazquez behind closed doors were already calling him the best heavyweight in the world.

Velasquez became the UFC heavyweight champion at UFC 121 when he convincingly tore through the mammoth title-holder Brock Lesnar. Cain's boxing technique and swiftness in escaping difficult positions were instrumental in his ability to weather a blitzing attack from Lesnar and then seize control of the fight.

An All-American Division I collegiate wrestler from Arizona State University, Velasquez often utilizes his wrestling for positional control and advancement in the cage, moving his opponents around and tiring them out in order to open them up to a vicious striking assault on the ground. In recent performances, Velasquez has also demonstrated crisp stand-up skills and seamless transitions, a result of his training with American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California.