Cain Velasquez wasn’t just a heavyweight — he was a force of nature. From the moment he stepped into the Octagon, the American fighter of Mexican descent changed the perception of what a heavyweight could be. Known for his relentless pace, cardio, and wrestling, Velasquez brought a new level of athleticism and intensity to the division. He made his UFC debut in 2008 and quickly tore through the competition with dominant wins. But it was his clash with Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 in 2010 that truly cemented his legacy.

Velasquez dismantled the much larger Lesnar in the first round, capturing the UFC heavyweight championship. That night, a star was born. Velasquez’s reign wasn’t without setbacks. Injuries plagued much of his career, interrupting what could have been a longer, more dominant run. Yet every time he returned, he reminded fans of his greatness. He reclaimed the title in 2012 by defeating Junior dos Santos in a grueling five-round war, then defended it in a trilogy bout and against Antônio Silva, showing his trademark pressure and cardio that broke his opponents’ will. However, despite achieving so much success, his coach, Javier Mendez, feels he could have achieved a lot more.

The 54-year-old sat down for a chat on the Javier and Mo show and shared how overtraining led to Velasquez’s fall from MMA greatness. He said, “Well, the number one thing is Cane Velasquez doesn’t have a stop button. Does not have a stop button. And me, as a coach idiot that I was, I didn’t realise that this guy needs to be held back. Cuz when you tell him do this, do that. He’s going to do that, and his body gets tired. And when your body gets tired and beat up the way it does, then you start breaking down, you know? So I didn’t think anything of it because this guy had incredible cardio. But then, as time went on, he started getting injured.” 

‘Cardio Cane’s’ career was shaped by more than just time. It was a story of physical wear and personal turmoil. His knees and back, the very foundation of his explosive fighting style, became constant sources of pain and limitation. The former UFC champion did take the blame for his downfall in the past. Now his coach, Mendez, feels he was also responsible for not putting the brakes on him during his training. The former UFC champion is now facing one of the toughest times of his career, and coach Mendez has gone on to make a plea for him.

Coach Javier Mendez feels Cane Velasquez is not a threat to anyone in the society

Cain Velasquez, the former UFC heavyweight champion, was once revered for his unbreakable spirit inside the Octagon. However, he now faces a much different reality. In a tragic turn of events, Velasquez was officially sentenced to five years in prison following a high-profile legal case that began in 2022. The charges against him were severe, including attempted murder, multiple counts of felony assault, and various firearm-related offenses. The incident that led to his arrest sent shockwaves through the MMA world. Velasquez was accused of engaging in a high-speed car chase, allegedly targeting Harry Goularte — a man who was himself under investigation for allegedly molesting Velasquez’s young son.

Given the heartbreaking details surrounding the case, Javier Mendez has publicly voiced his belief that Velasquez deserves clemency. Mendez, who has stood by Cain through triumphs and trials, feels that California Governor Gavin Newsom should step in and grant a pardon. Mendez, while speaking to Redcorner MMA in a recent interview, said, “Gavin Newsom is the only one that would have the heart to… look into it and see that this man is not a threat to anybody. He needs to be home with his family. So Gavin Newsom if you’re hearing this, you are the only one that can help him. You’re the only one that people would be gratified and thankful to you if you do such a great gesture.” 

For Mendez, the entire ordeal appears to be a heartbreaking example of temporary insanity. Mendez, who holds Velasquez in the highest regard both as a fighter and as a person, sees the incident not as a calculated act of violence, but as a moment where overwhelming emotion took control. But what do you think about the whole incident? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.