Cain Velasquez Getting Released by WWE Absolutely Does Not Mean UFC Should Invite Him Back
By Sam Dunn
Remember when the Brock Lesnar-Cain Velasquez UFC heavyweight rivalry was given new life in the squared circle of the WWE? Well, that whole thing didn't last long, as the former dispatched the latter in their one and only pro wrestling showdown in 90 seconds with the WWE championship on the line.
All told, Velasquez would complete just one other proper match during his time in WWE. On Tuesday, the company released him from his contract.
Cain Velasquez released by WWE. Who had the more memorable run, him or Rob Gronkowski? I think Kevin Federline has them both beat.
— Jason Solomon (@solomonster) April 28, 2020
You wouldn't be crazy to think that this latest news arrives as a major opportunity for Dana White and the Co. It's former heavyweight champion is suddenly a free agent again! But let's make something as clear as a diluted USADA urine sample: The UFC should absolutely not fall all over itself to get Velasquez back in the Octagon.
He's the owner of some happy memories in MMA, from his brilliant knockout against Big Nog in 2010 to his notable victories over Lesnar, Junior dos Santos, and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in the years to come, but the man hasn't won a fight since 2016 -- and his last go-round one year ago was absolutely brutal.
Just 26 seconds. There's no coming back from that.
When Francis Ngannou does such a special number on you, you're just never going to be the same. And at age 37, the UFC should say thanks-but-no-thanks to this man if he shows up back at their doorstep hat-in-hand.