Velasquez at an event. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/CainVelasquez
Considered one of the greatest heavyweights (up to 120,2 kg) in history, Cain Velasquez stated that Islam Makhachev is on another level ahead of UFC 330. According to the organization's legend, the welterweight champion (up to 77,1 kg) possesses a rare skill set in MMA and has all the tools to continue dominating the division against Ian Garry on August 15th in Philadelphia.
Former champion Cain, who has delivered some great fights at the event, highlighted Makhachev's technical level and stated that the current champion is among the most complete fighters today. According to the American, the dominance shown by the Russian inside the octagon is the result of a rare combination of skills.
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“Islam is a special kind of athlete. He’s one of the guys at the peak of this sport. I see Islam continuing to do what he’s been doing, which is winning impressively. He’s someone who masters all aspects of MMA,” Cain Velasquez revealed in an interview with the YouTube channel 'Red Corner'.
In the former champion's view, the Russian's excellence in ground fighting, intelligence in controlling fights, and constant evolution in striking make him an extremely difficult opponent to overcome. According to Cain, the Russian has demonstrated a rare consistency among the top names in the UFC.
Islam Makhachev won the welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena last November, after moving up a weight class following a long reign at lightweight (up to 70,3 kg). Now, the champion faces Ian Garry , one of the division's biggest prospects, in another test to solidify his legacy among the greatest fighters in the organization's history.
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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