Cain Velasquez is back and he’s been opening up about many significant events from his colorful life. Probably the most memorable and historic moment coming from the cardio machine is his UFC title fight against Brock Lesner on UFC 121. But that wasn’t the last time the two absolute units would clash.
Upon retiring from UFC, Cain was a free agent until WWE decided to sign him up for their promotion. A heavyweight like Cain would probably attract a huge number of viewers but in a cruel twist, Velasquez had to face off against Brock Lesner, the very man the Mexican had to win his UFC title from.
Why did Cain feel uncomfortable facing Lesner in WWE?
On UFC 110, Cain beat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via KO and earned a title fight against the then-champ Brock. On UFC 121, both fighters went in with glory in mind. For Velasquez, it was his opportunity to take a shot at the ever-so-desired title while for Lesner, it was an opportunity to continue his 4-fight win streak.
Unfortunately for ‘The Beast Incarnate’, October 23rd just wasn’t his night and he lost by TKO in the very first round. After this fight, Lesner could never recover his former stature as he lost his next match against Alistair Overeem and got disqualified from his last UFC match against Mark Hunt.
Cain on the other hand lost his title in the very next match but unlike Brock, managed to reclaim his title and defend it twice. Finally following the brutal defeat against Francis Ngannou, Velasquez also decided to retire from UFC and was soon signed by the biggest wrestling promotion in the world WWE.
‘Cardio Cain’ was set to make his first wrestling appearance in the 2019 Crown Jewel event where his opponent was none other than Brock ‘solid’ Lesner. The former rivals put on a fight that looked more like an MMA bout than a wrestling one ending with Lesner picking up the win.
Brock recounts this memory while talking to the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, “Yeah, professional and I would say it was a little uncomfortable [planning out the match with Brock Lesnar] I’m just so new to the wrestling world but everyone that I’ve worked with has been amazing as far as, you take care of everybody. We really do try to put in some good things in there where everyone gets what they want out of it and making it just for the fans.”
Cain further added, “Working with Brock was an interesting man, that’s all I’m gonna say, It was very different. You kind of just learn from your life and okay, this is what this was. I know for next time if something else ever happens for next time but… With Brock, that’s kind of what it was.”
Velasquez continues to be involved with wrestling as he recently made an appearance for Lucha Libre following his release from jail.
