UFC Quick Quote: Cain Velasquez not buying into his own hype

by MMAmania.com on Feb 6, 2009 9:11 AM EST

"There are no sure things in this sport.... What other people say, I filter out. I never listen to the hype. I have a long way to go. I need to get better in every area. Of course, you would rather people think highly of you than not, but in the end, that doesn’t really matter. What matters is how I perform and how much I learn."

-- Up-and-coming heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez tells Yahoo!Sports.com that he is taking it one fight at a time. The two-time All-American wrestler from Arizona State University (ASU) is a highly touted prospect who has thus far lived up to the lofty expectations, winning two fights inside the Octagon in less than five minutes combined. He'll attempt to make it three straight against Denis Stojnic tomorrow night at UFC Fight Night 17, which airs on Spike TV, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. Just in time for the masses to see what all the buzz is (or isn't) about.

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Good to see someone who doesnt have the ego the size of Texas

by Kibs on Feb 6, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions

i wanted him to fight junior del santos and then i would start ranking him..

were getting alot of heavyweight contenders

by Mikeybear2009 on Feb 6, 2009 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

I think they are trying to build up some of their HW young guns so when they do match them up, it will be high(er) profile fights, when both guys have improved.

I"ve mentioned elsewhere that the UFC has a phenomenal group of up and coming HWs: Lesnar, Carwin, Cain, Dos Santos, Pat Berry (UFC 92 winner by leg kicks), Hardonk (yeah hes not new, but I’d label him an up and comer), and maybe a few others I’m forgetting.

It might be a bit early to label some of these guys as the future of the division, but since most have more fights than the UFC HW champ, I put them in there. I have faith in these guys. Give them another year, and they will either be Main Card PPV status, or UFN Headliners!

WAR CARWIN!!!

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Feb 6, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

“in the end, that really doesnt matter, what does, IS BROWN PRIDE!!” lol

by brendan on Feb 6, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

this guy is already a beast, after this fight i hope they really challenge him.

by Mc on Feb 6, 2009 9:13 AM EST reply actions

who has beaten that makes him a beast? Just wondering?

by Robert on Feb 6, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

Why does everyone he faces have to have a name? just wondering?

by Cogito_Ergo_Sum on Feb 6, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

Because Kimbo was considered a beast by non mma fans….not that Cain is a Kimbo, but to call someone a beast means they are good…..I’m saying alot of fighters can have good records and be seen as good but what about the competition?

by Robert on Feb 6, 2009 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

he’s a beast b/c of his skillset, size, strength, and wrestling credentials. He’s a 2 time D1 all american, a 2 time JUCO national champ, and they say he’s got K1 level kickboxing. All his fights are W’s by 1st rd TKO. That’s why he’s a beast. When Lesnar’s record went to 1-1 in MMA after getting subbed by Mir, we all knew he was a beast. He had no resume yet in MMA but he passes the eyeball test. As a fan, you should know better than to judge a fighter strictly off of the names or lack there of that he’s fought.

by Crowls on Feb 6, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

You make a good, solid point…..just some fighters come in like lions and don’t make it (Houston) but I like your arument…..
thanks

by Robert on Feb 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

you can still be a beast and not have beaten any top ranked fighters.. he’s gonna go straight to the top and it’s going to be hard for anyone to stop him!

by RoB on Feb 6, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

so before Kimbo lost was he considered a beast mma fighter? I like Cain but lets wait and see….remember Gonzoga knocking out Cro Cop…..everybody feared him becuase of one fight.

by Robert on Feb 6, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

Ya and gonzaga still should be feared by all hw’s.

by LG on Feb 6, 2009 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

you right that he hasn’t faced any real tough competition. But from what we’ve seen he looks real good, and i hope you does get some big fights this year.

by Mc on Feb 6, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

This guy’s attitude is 180 degrees out from that of BJ Penn. Cain is a beast. He scares me…

by BigRedOne on Feb 6, 2009 9:14 AM EST reply actions

Really good approach to this sport and biz.. and being honest with himself.

I’m a BJ Penn fan.. I would love to go to Hilo and train with him.. he is a legend in BJJ nad MMA.. ever since the UFC Primetime for 94.. I’ve been wondering how much of his talking.. is real talk or marketing??? Cuz he talked alot! In the GSP fight he didn’t say much.. granted he comes from hte 2nd richest family on the Island of Hilo.. I give him alot of props for being a fighter of such high caliber.. he could of done other things.. but the reality is like Dana said in the Primetime special " BJ is surrounded by alot of yes men "… on the topic of him fighting GSP again this summer.. I agree that he would have to know go through a top WW contender to get that shot.. he’s human.. and should get teh same treatment as everyone esle.. a la Page.

Did anyone here see Jim Rome yesterday? In his final burn on Hines Ward.. he mentioned that BJ Penn sent him a couple of 24 oz cans of Mickey’s beer.. true story.. So I guess Rome and BJ got wrecked at the same time.

by PhilQNY on Feb 6, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

Phil, I heard that as well and my wife and I were both shocked.

That was a pretty sweet bottle of Crown Royal that Ward had made up.

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

Yes Sir it was..

by PhilQNY on Feb 6, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

Brown Pride tattoo and nothing is said about it

’

. . . Hypocrisy. . . Overwhelming . . .

by Lester the Pimp on Feb 6, 2009 9:21 AM EST reply actions

I’m not going to assume I know what you mean to imply with your “hypocrisy” statement so i’ll ask. What do you mean by it?

by Machine on Feb 6, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

There was a big discussion on this site months back when we all saw Cain fight for the first time…

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

I would say it’s hypocritical, but then again, I don’t remember people with “brown pride” killing millions of innocent people based on race.

I agree that a white person should be able to display their white pride, but that damned Hitler ruined it for us. Unfortunately, some morons today still use “white pride” as a platform to hate everyone else for no good reason.

So, fair or not, displaying “white pride” comes with a stigma of racism and oppression.

by RealDrew on Feb 6, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Great post. End of story.

by OJR on Feb 6, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

This guy he’s fighting, Stojnic, is a brilliant fighter, a contender. UFC would normally bring in someone like him against a can to build him up, but they’re putting him against Valasquez to bring Cain down a notch or two after the contract problems with AKA.

I still think Cain will win, but this is definately not a gimme.

by Andy on Feb 6, 2009 9:36 AM EST reply actions

Been super impressed with Cain since he splashed onto the MMA scene. Everyone knows that Cain is BY FAR the biggest lock on tomorrows card. He opened at -600 and I anticpated that it would go up, so I bet $60 to win $10. Then the next day he drops to -550 and was there until yesterday. Now he is up to -650. Didn’t get that one timed right, but its better than if I waited till now… Betting the early odds sometimes is better, but sometimes worse. GAMBLERS – do you think Cain’s line will continue to move??? A few weeks ago I thought he could even reach the -800 area. However, very rarely is there a fighter that is +475, so I am hoping that some people (DUMB people) start betting on Stojnic so Cain comes down a little. Regardless, I will be betting more on him at some point today or tomorrow, but I want to figure out the ideal time to grab him. I’m starting to think that if he goes back to -600, that is the time. It isn’t much of a difference but still.

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions

He just earned points with me with this quote. The right attitude and mind-set can take you much further than physical ability on its own. Let’s hope he keeps it and continues to rise up the ranks.

by Machine on Feb 6, 2009 9:41 AM EST reply actions

I just read the whole article, and the ONLY thing that has me nervous is this quote (I CAPITOLIZED the specific part):

"I’m trying to improve in every area. It’s not like I’m a finished product, by any means. I have a lot of questions to answer. I HOPE I HAVE A GOOD CHIN, but I haven’t been hit in a fight and I don’t know for sure. So I have a lot to do."

Plus consider that he is facing a kickboxer. However, that also means that Cain should have no problems putting him on his back. Man, I’m going to have to check the odds like every 5 minutes now…

Out of curiousity, I just checked BoDog, and they already have odds for Rampage/Jardine, and they have odds for EVERY fight tomorrow night.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson
-350

Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine
+275

Gabriel Gonzaga
-160

Shane Carwin
+130

Rich Clementi
-120

Gleison Tibau
-110

Anthony Johnson
-300

Luigi Fioravanti
+240

Nick Catone
-200

Derek Downey
+160

Matt Grice
-150

Matt Veach
+120

Kurt Pellegrino
-220

Rob Emerson
+180

Joe Lauzon
-180

Jeremy Stephens
+150

Dan Miller
-175

Jake Rosholt
+145

Cain Velasquez
-550

DEnis Stojnic
+375

Mac Danzig
-150

Josh Neer
+120

Matt Riddle
-120

Steve Bruno
-110

Carwin at +130 seems interesting, and so do the odds on Gabe -

I guess that is another sign that I would wait for Cain to drop to -550. There is just no way he loses. The UFC is feeding him this guy.

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions

I was thinking about it this morning, and UFN events are great for gamblers. UFN events are designed to build the ppv stars of tomorrow….which to me means, that the UFC doesnt want to see the stars that they are building lose, so they book some mismatches. if you are not afraid of the odds, there is some money to be made. For example: TOmorrow night I will be SHOCKED if Lauzon or Cain lose, THats why I am betting them BIG!

by john on Feb 6, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

VM: i just got wind of the 1st strikeforce match up booked for the April 11th showtime event:

Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach! Battle between 2 heavy hitters! should be an exciting match up!

by john on Feb 6, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

WHOOA Benji hits SUPER HARD. I actually see him as a considerable favorite against Smith. That is a match that I will love to watch. I wish there was a prop on whether or not the fight goes to the ground.

He knocked the snot out of Ninja in his last fight.

My only concern is his chin because he go KO’d by MATT HOROWICH – who NEVER had a KO in his career going into that fight. (Sidenote: Leben KO’d him long ago as well, and Sherk beat him by cuts)

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

WHOOA! MNy thoughts exactly! Getting Ko’ed by Horowich is a big concern, but like you said, Benji hits like a tank!

Goran Reljics recovery is suffering some set backs. They are closely monitoring his back. He would love to fight In Germany at UFC 99, but the earliest we can expect him back is UFC 100

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j9fTIHchkY

by john on Feb 6, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, and John, I got a SMALL parlay on Lauzon/Cain. But I do NOT see Joe as a LOCK to win against Little Heven. Lauzon can be up 2.5 rounds and with just seconds remaining in the fight, Jeremy has the ability to win by a 1 punch KO. That KO of Dos Anos was not fluke punch – he has legit KO power.

However, I do think back to the Din Thomas fight. Jeremy was doing well, until Din took him down and got the rather easy submission. This is the fight tha Lauzon needs to be studying. And Jeremy knows this, so I’m sure he has mostly been working takedown defense and sub defense. PLUS, Lauzon doesn’t exactly have world class takedown either. If the fight stays standing, I give the edge to Jeremy. Lauzon’s only advantage in the standup is that he will have the reach advantage. What do you think?

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions

And even EASIER to bet on was EliteXC. Was there a single upset other than Seth over Kimbo – which odds were never released on?

KJ over Diaz was more than likely the only upset.

I do NOT consider KrazyHorse KO’ing KJ an upset…

by ViolentMike on Feb 6, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

EliteXC used to be a gift to gamblers!

I agree that lil heathen hs that 1 punch KO ability, but Joe isnt going to play that sh*t tomorrow night! I doubt Joe will stand with him at all. Joe is going to take lil heathen down and it will stay on the ground until Joe finishes Stevens. Joe’s ground game is WAY too mych for stevens to deal with….Joe knows it, he isnt going to play around with him, he will just steamroll him on the ground!

Thats how I see it at least!

Thanks for finally posting one of my links mania!

by john on Feb 6, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Im finally starting to feel the love around here

by john on Feb 6, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

That was great John.. Thanks!

by PhilQNY on Feb 6, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

anytime man!

by john on Feb 7, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

+375 is a huge line considering he even admitted he doesnt know his chin and hes facing a sambo guy. Even a small bet on Stojnic would have a decent payout if he ends up having a glass jaw

by Kibs on Feb 6, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Dont like to throw out streeotypes, but Mexican fighters tend to have great Chins!

uFC is trying to build up Cain. THey wont book him to fight a guy that has a chance in upsetting him. Cain is going to win this fight, but I agree that Stojnic isnt a bad addition to the UFC.

by john on Feb 6, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Isnt that what an upset is though? When you put someone against someone everyone knows he should beat but maybe gets caught with something? Not trying to argue :)