Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez hasn’t fought in over six years, however his look on the latest Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card instantly sparked curiosity in a potential return to MMA.
Though accidents derailed a lot of his profession, Velasquez is broadly thought to be one of the vital proficient heavyweights of all time. After struggling a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2019, the now 43-year-old veteran turned his consideration to skilled wrestling on the time and determined to name it a profession.
Most just lately, Velasquez made headlines when he was sentenced to virtually 11 months in jail and served it with out enchantment for tried homicide throughout a automobile chase by which he fired pictures into the automobile of Harry Goulart, a person accused of sexually abusing the militant’s younger son. Velasquez has obtained overwhelming assist from the preventing group, with even UFC CEO Dana White writing a letter to the courtroom on Velasquez’s behalf when he was first arrested in 2022.
Now again in his hometown together with his household, Velasquez is free to return to competitors if he needs, however admits it’s going to take a major period of time to get him again within the cage.
“I haven’t got a want checklist as a human being (to combat), but when the cash is true, the cash is true, nevertheless it must be actually good,” Velasquez advised Josh Thomson on his podcast. “I feel it will be actually good for me to do this.”
Velasquez was adamant {that a} potential return to motion has nothing to do with potential identify worth relating to opponents or incomes a featured spot on a serious combat card.
The principle focus will possible be on the cash they’re making to get Velasquez again into coaching camp and prepared for a combat, nevertheless it’s uncertain any promotion will make a suggestion that will carry him again into motion.
“You need to make them wish to do it as a result of they’ve the cash,” Velasquez mentioned. “As I mentioned earlier than, I do not wish to do it. I am excited by different issues proper now. However to make me actually wish to do it, I want cash, and I do not assume anybody pays me that form of cash.”
After being launched on bail and allowed to return dwelling after his preliminary arrest, Velasquez spent a lot of his time teaching and mentoring younger fighters on the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. It is the identical health club Velasquez referred to as dwelling all through his preventing profession. Though he loves serving to the subsequent era of fighters, he does not see teaching as his greatest future job.
“In my case, I acquired so enthusiastic about what I used to be doing that it was not helpful,” Velasquez mentioned of teaching. “There’s one thing about development and good occasions and even studying experiences and tough occasions that I actually love, seeing them by the eyes of others. Seeing them achieve life classes by this sport. However now different pursuits are calling to me.”
