Cain Velasquez Through the Years

SI Staff | Dec 18, 2012

Cain Velasquez Through the Years /

Cain Velasquez Through the Years

UFC 83

Cain Velasquez didn't waste much time in his UFC debut: scoring a first-round TKO of Brad Morris at UFC 83.

UFC Fight Night 14

The Salinas, Calif., native scored a second straight opening-round TKO in his sophomore UFC outing, against Jake O'Brien.

UFC Fight Night 17

Velasquez picked up his first career Knockout of the Night bonus with yet another knockout against Denis Stojnic when the two faced off on July 19, 2008.

UFC 99

In Velasquez's only fight to date that wasn't ended inside the distance, the former Arizona State grappler dominated Cheick Kongo at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany.

UFC 104

Velasquez inched closer to a UFC heavyweight title shot when he stopped Ben Rothwell early in the second-round of their UFC 104 meeting on Oct. 24, 2009.

UFC 110

With a shot at Brock Lesnar's UFC heavyweight title at stake, Velasquez came through in the most dramatic way possible: starching Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in the first round at UFC 110 on Feb. 20, 2010. The highlight-reel finish earned him Knockout of the Night honors.

UFC 121

Velasquez became the 15th heavyweight champion in UFC history when he scored a first-round TKO of Brock Lesnar that made him the first Mexican-American to win a heavyweight title in boxing or MMA.

UFC 146

After losing the belt to Junior dos Santos in his first defense, Velasquez got back in the win column in dramatic fashion with a first round TKO of Antonio Silva at UFC 146 on May 26, 2012.

UFC 155

Cain Velasquez (top) got the better of Junior dos Santos during their heavyweight championship rematch. Velasquez regained the title by unanimous decision.

Published Dec 18, 2012

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