Cain Velasquez's next fight has been set for March 2015 after a successful surgery. The champion's camp also believes that the Mexican-American fighter is not expected to take a long lay-off despite his injury.
Cain Velasquez's next fight was originally scheduled for November 145th at UFC 180 in Mexico City, put due to a torn meniscus, he was forced off the card. Replacing him is another top contender and PRIDE FC veteran Mark Hunt, who will be facing original challenger Fabricio Werdum for the interim heavyweight title.
American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) head coach Javier Mendez spoke about the Cain Velasquez's next fight, noting that the champion was already in tiptop shape, exactly where they wanted him to be, prior to the injury.
"Before that, he was training kicking, in his sparring session on Monday (Oct. 13), he looked fantastic," Mendez said in a report by MMA Fighting. "His wrestling, his takedown defense, he looked really good. We were right on track, and then his knee started locking up when he was sprawling (Oct. 16)."
Mendez also reveals that while they are looking at a March return for the champion, the decision will still be up to the UFC.
"It depends on the UFC," said Mendez. "Whatever decision they make is what's going to happen provided he's healed."
Cain Velasquez's UFC reign is the fruit of a storied mixed martial arts career, which began in 2006. This is why the fighter's camp is completely fine with the minor setback, as they believe that injuries are part of the MMA game.
"It's the nature of the sport, with so many disciplines," Mendez added. "We'll never be able to put a stop to that. There's just too many disciplines. That's the nature of the beast. That's the path we chose."
The AKA skipper also added that they are not planning to keep the champion shelved for a long period of time.
"I assume he'll be good to go for full-time training by December," Mendez said. "He'll have all of November and part of October off. I don't see him being out that long at all."
