Cain Velasquez acknowledges ‘things have to change’ in training after rash of injuries

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Mention the name Cain Velasquez and you’d only get superlatives in response. The best heavyweight ever. Baddest man on the planet. Athletic freak. Cardio machine.

Now? The first thing that pops into mind when you hear Velasquez’s name is the word “injuries.”

In a mixed martial arts world where main events being scuttled due to fighters getting hurt in training is a weekly occurrence, Velasquez has become the poster boy. The former UFC heavyweight champion has pulled out of multiple fights per year over the last few years, because he keeps getting hurt.

Velasquez acknowledges the problem now and vows to do something about it. He said Tuesday at a UFC 200 media lunch that he plans to adjust his training to limit those injuries. Velasquez said he’ll cut back on sparring to one or two days a week from three previously.

“From now on, I think some things have to change as far as my training,” Velasquez said. “Just to make the fight in general. To be sharp, be in shape, but not take it on the body as much.”

It probably set in the hardest for Velasquez earlier this year when he had to withdraw from a title fight against Fabricio Werdum in February due to an injury. Werdum beat Velasquez to win the heavyweight title at UFC 188 last June. Velasquez was motivated to get the belt back, but a painful back injury did not allow for that to happen. He pulled out and then the UFC gave what would …

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