"Right now, he could walk in and be a good pro boxer. He could not only be a good kickboxer, but he’s K-1 level (the Japanese group which is top organization for heavyweights in the world). He won a world championship in Jiu Jitsu (World No Gi world champion in the blue belt division in late 2007, 17 months after his first class). He’s the fastest learner I’ve ever had. And nobody trains harder. He trains harder than the lightweights.... But think about this, a dominant heavyweight champion, and he’s Mexican. There’s never been anyone like that yet."
-- Javier Mendez, owner and head trainer at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), heaps praise via Yahoo!Sports.com on up-and-coming heavyweight prospect, Cain Velasquez. The former Arizona State University wrestler is undefeated in the Octagon (1-0) and will look to make it two straight when he takes on Jake O'Brien at UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19. Mendez feels that Velasquez right now can defeat former UFC champion Randy Couture and ranks him first among the most promising prospects to walk inside his gym -- in front of Josh Koscheck, Frank Shamrock, Cung Le and B.J. Penn. That's some serious company.
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