• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
MMA Fights Upcoming Fights

NOT COUNTING OUT CAIN VELASQUEZ, BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE

by Jonathan Salmon Updated by GI Team on Feb 18, 2025

velasquez
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

velasquezIt’s appearing difficult for the former heavyweight champ to remain healthy.

This all sounds a bit familiar. Here we are awaiting the next big heavyweight showdown between two of the greatest fighters in the division’s history…and now it’s been scrapped. Cain Velasquez is out of the main event of UFC 196 and though it may be surprising and even frustrating for many, I view it as a breath of fresh air. Am I glad Velasquez got injured, definitely not. I believe he’s truly one of the greatest heavyweights to ever compete in the sport. That being said, he already fought against the current champion Fabricio Werdum and was soundly defeated. Many want to point to the high altitude of Mexico City effecting Velasquez, but Werdum was fighting in the same cage that night and still was victorious. So why exactly am I even more pumped for UFC 196? Well with Velasquez on the shelf it left the door open for the streaking Stipe Miocic who is stylistically an even more dangerous opponent for the rejuvenated Fabricio Werdum to tackle. It’s a match up we’ve yet to see and that in itself lends to the excitement of this new main event. It’s something we haven’t seen before and that makes matters all the more interesting. But on a more serious note, Velasquez’s injury woes are beginning to become the bane of his existence. Hell, it’s starting to become one of the elements that’s defining his career. But one can’t help but wonder if this situation could have been avoided. Sure, injuries happen all the time in preparations for mixed martial arts bouts, just ask Dominick Cruz. But that being said, the injury rate at Velasquez’s home camp, American Kickboxing Academy or AKA has been pretty much through the roof. AKA has a great stable of fighters including light weight champion Daniel Cormier and middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, not to mention lightweight stand outs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Josh Thomson. Though to many the results of their training speaks to their success you have to consider the fact that each of these men including Velasquez had to take considerable time away from the sport due to potentially career altering injuries. The old mythos that iron sharpens iron is still alive and well in MMA gyms, but it’s an ideology that may be antiquated. It makes no sense to battle it out in the gym, fight your team mates in no holds barred matches and wind up getting injured because of it. These days so many young fighters are avoiding injuries and performing even better in the cage because they’re training smarter and avoiding gym wars leading up to their matches. For AKA and namely Cain Velasquez, training in a different style should certainly be considered. Sure, I don’t know everything that’s going on within their camp, but if all the injuries are a sign, a change needs to happen and happen fast. What are your thoughts on Cain Velasquez’s withdrawal from UFC 196? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter. Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor and geek culture enthusiast. Follow him on Twitter and keep up with his latest exploits.

About Jonathan Salmon

Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility