Multiple outlets are confirming that UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez could be looking at a fairly lengthy layoff due to an injury to his right shoulder. Although he didn't disclose the injury following his win over Brock Lesnar at UFC 121, Velasquez is said to have suffered a torn rotator cuff during his win over the former champ.
Cain Velasquez Injury: UFC Heavyweight Champ Could Miss Much Of 2011 With Torn Rotator Cuff
While Dana White has optimistically hoped for a summer return to competition for the heavyweight champion, American Kickboxing Academy trainer Javier Mendez has a more realistic take on the recovery process.
“They say the rehab on that type of injury is going to take anywhere from four to six months,” he said. “Then from there he’s got to get fight-ready.”
While we don’t have a large data set to pull from on how MMA fighters have fared after such an injury, but if anyone is going to do the work to get back to the top of the division, it’s Velasquez. If he isn’t prematurely rushed back into action and is allowed the proper time to recover, I think he and his trainers can formulate a plan to work around the injury.
But for now, it looks as if plans for a fight between Velasquez and No. 1 contender Junior Dos Santos at UFC 129 in Toronto has been shelved. Let the chatter of another interim UFC Heavyweight Champion begin.
See More:
