One of the most decorated fighters in the history of the UFC was given a rude welcome back to fighting after a 2.5 year absence from competitive matches.
Cain Velasquez, the former heavyweight mixed martial arts champion, was dominated by Francis Ngannou in his return to the ring on Sunday night.
The fight was the 36-year-old’s first competitive UFC match since he knocked out Travis Browne back in July of 2016.
Velasquez decided to take a break from fighting after suffering various injuries, including painful bone spurs in his back, in order to recover.
Velasquez was dropped by a vicious uppercut by Ngannou’s right hand in the opening moments of Sunday night’s fight. The former champion never even had a chance to mount an offensive attack against the French-Nigerian fighter.
Francis Ngannou’s win moved his career fighting record to 13-3. Nine of the heavyweight’s career wins have come via knockout.
It was a disappointing return to a ring for a fighter that was once considered one of the best in the world. It is not known when he will return to the ring after Sunday’s bout.
