UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez - Former ASU Teammates Weigh In Cain’s Chances

SB Nation had the privilege to chat with some of the people who know Veasquez best -- Ryan Bader and Aaron Simpson. The two were pretty candid about their thoughts on Cain taking on Lesnar for the title. Here is what the former Sun Devils had to say-

Ryan Bader-

Tell me about your relationship with your former college ASU teammate, Cain Velasquez. How do you think he matches up with Brock Lesnar?

Originally, he was our heavyweight. CB Dollaway, Aaron Simpson, Cain, and myself, all came into MMA together. He’s an absolute beast. Even on the wrestling mat, you get a takedown on him and he’ll come at you 100 mph until he gets it back. He’s definitely a great guy. He has a certain look that some people seem to take the wrong way, but he’s just a fun, goofy guy. A great friend.

I think he matches up very well with Brock. He might be taken down a few times, but his tenacity will be the difference maker. In the fifth round, he’s going to look just like he did in the first round. Brock might be able to hang for a little bit, but from the third round on, it’s going to be all Cain. He’ll stay on the outside and pick him apart with his kickboxing, mixing in some takedowns. Once Lesnar gets tired, Cain will take over.

check out the rest of the interview here.

Aaron Simpson-

In order to make that a 15 minute fight, and eventually a 25 minute fight, we need to fight smarter. I like to try to compete at a pace not many fighters can keep up with. A lot of guys just cant handle it. I think the biggest example of that would be Cain Velasquez. I think Lesnar is going to have a fight on his hands because of the type of pace Cain can keep.

You touched on Cain’s high work rate. How do you see his upcoming title fight with Brock Lesnar going?

I see Lesnar being a problem because of his size and the fact that he can throw very heavy hands, but unless he does something right off the bat and takes Cain out early, Brock will be in trouble. Cain will take him into deep waters and do serious damage while he controls the later rounds. He could also win a decision. Cain’s standup is far and away better than Lesnar’s, his wrestling is equal in my opinion, and BJJ I’m not too sure about. I don’t know what Lesnar brings on the ground but I know Cain has an awesome camp working with Dave Camarillo. He’s dangerous in every aspect. The difference maker will be Lesnar’s size to Cain’s motor. Cain will be go go go, and 25 minutes is nothing to him. He does not get tired. I can’t explain it, and I have no idea where he got that gas tank, but I’ve never seen him get tired. At ASU he was one of the hardest working guys to ever come through that program and being a heavyweight, that’s very rare. He used to wrestle like he weighed 155 lbs. It’s definitely going to be interesting. I can’t wait to watch it.

check out the rest of the interview here.