Coach: Velasquez ‘obviously’ not the division GOAT, yet
Javier Vasquez on Cain Velasquez: “So, he is still going to hit that goal of the greatest of all time, but obviously we can’t hit him with that label right now.”
The first UFC heavyweight champion was crowned on Feb 7, 1997, as Dan Severn fell to Mark Coleman. 15 men have held the title or interim title in the 17 years since:
Mark Coleman
Maurice Smith
Randy Couture
Bas Rutten
Kevin Randleman
Josh Barnett
Ricco Rodriguez
Tim Sylvia
Frank Mir
Andrei Arlovski
Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
Brock Lesnar
Shane Carwin
Cain Velasquez
Junior dos Santos
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Javier Vasquez, coach of the current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, argued that Cain is not the greatest champion in the division’s history, because injuries have kept him out of the cage so much.
“What I do think is this, had he never gotten injured, he’d be the greatest heavyweight of all time right now; because of what the guy can do,” said Vasquez as transcribed by Adam Guillen Jr. for MMA Mania. “What I do believe, is that it will take longer for people to recognize him as the greatest, you know, because of the injuries. Even if he never gets injured going forward, you know depending on him, he has a good six, seven or maybe even 10 years ahead of fighting, if that is what he chooses to do. So, he is still going to hit that goal of the greatest of all time, but obviously we can’t hit him with that label right now. Not yet. He needs more fights I think. But he will get there, it is just going to take a little longer.”
So UG, who do you think is the Greatest of All Time in the UFC’s heavyweight division?