Velasquez at an event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/CainVelasquez
Even though he's been away from MMA for years, Cain Velasquez is still remembered as one of the most dominant heavyweights in UFC history. Now, the former champion is back in the spotlight after Daniel Cormier revealed an unusual episode about his friend during the peak of his career: The heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) refused an offer of US$25 (approximately R$129 at the current exchange rate) just to make an appearance at an event, a decision that ended up further increasing his market value.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel , Cormier stated that Velasquez never accepted offers he considered below the value of his image. According to the former two-division UFC champion, Cain was convinced that his name was worth much more than the initial offer and preferred to pass up opportunities rather than devalue his own brand.
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“Cain wasn’t going to accept. He didn’t want to go anywhere for $25.000 (R$ 129). I saw his value increase so much that eventually, they offered him more,” revealed Daniel Cormier.
According to 'DC', the strategy paid off. By rejecting the first offer, Velasquez strengthened his market position and began receiving more financially advantageous proposals for appearances at events and promotional activities. The episode shows how the former champion managed his career outside the octagon as well, understanding that preserving the value of his own image could yield long-term benefits.
In a sport where sponsorships, appearances, and commercial deals represent a significant source of income, how an athlete markets their brand can be just as crucial as their performance inside the cage. In Cain's case, his confidence in his own worth ultimately paid off.
The Peak of Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez experienced the most dominant period of his career between 2010 and 2013, when he won the heavyweight title twice and established himself as one of the greatest names in the history of the division. His rise to the top began at UFC 121 in October 2010, when he knocked out Brock Lesnar in the first round to win his first world title.
After losing the belt to Junior Cigano in November 2011, Velasquez began one of the most remarkable comebacks in the division. First, he dominated Antônio 'Pezão' Silva at UFC 146 and secured another title shot. Then, he dominated Cigano for five rounds at UFC 155 in December 2012 to reclaim the belt.
Now crowned champion again, Cain defended his title with a technical knockout over Pezão at UFC 160 and ended the historic rivalry against Cigano by winning the trilogy at UFC 166, in a performance considered one of the most impressive of his career.
Victories over Brock Lesnar , Junior Cigano , and Antônio Pezão solidified the champion as one of the most dominant heavyweights to ever compete in the UFC. The legacy he built inside the octagon earned him enormous prestige outside of fighting as well, explaining why the former champion believed his image was worth more than any offer considered below his true market value.
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Read More about: martial arts, Cain Velazquez, Cormier, Daniel Cormier, MMA, UFC
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