Cain Velasquez was poised to get back in the title race with a win in his Sunday comeback bout against Francis Ngannou, but “The Predator” had other ideas, as he silenced the pro-Velasquez crowd at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix by halting the two-time UFC heavyweight champion in less than a minute.
“I stood a little too close, too early,” said a gracious Velasquez. “This is why this sport is so great, you never know what’s gonna happen.”
True, but few expected this outcome.
As the two engaged, there was a clear sense of danger approaching, and as Ngannou landed a 1-2, Velasquez shot in for a takedown. Ngannou fought it off, then landed a right uppercut. Velasquez’ knee buckled and the Arizona native hit the deck with a yell and covered up. After two follow-up shots by Ngannou, referee Jason Herzog waved the fight off. The official time of the stoppage was 26 seconds of round one.
“He was really fast, so I didn’t even realize what happened,” said Ngannou, who has looked like a changed man in his two bouts since a disappointing two-fight stretch in which he lost to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis.
With the win, the No. 3-ranked Ngannou ups his record to 13-3. Velasquez, who has been on the sidelines since July 2016, falls to 14-3.
