Cain Velasquez On An MMA Return

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (14-3) has left the door open to an MMA comeback, telling longtime teammate Josh Thomson that money would be the deciding factor in any potential return.

“There is no wishlist as far as person, but if the money is right, the money is right. It has to be right, and it has to be really good. It has to be really damn good for me to do that,” Velasquez said

Velasquez last competed in February 2019, suffering a 26-second knockout loss to Francis Ngannou. His life outside the cage took a turn in 2022 when he was arrested following a shooting involving a man accused of abusing his son. He pleaded no contest to attempted murder and assault with a firearm in late 2024, was sentenced to five years in prison but received credit for time served and house arrest, and was released earlier this year.

The early release was due to time already served as Cain served over 1200 days in custody and for his participation in rehabilitation programs. When Thomson floated the idea of a fight with Fedor Emelianenko, Velasquez was candid about his motivation.

“The money has to make me want to do it because I’ve said this before, I don’t want to do it. I have other interests now, but the money has to make me really want to do it, and I don’t think anyone is willing to pay that,” Velasquez added