Former two-time undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez has inked a deal to hyperlink up with the brand new GFL (World Struggle League) promotion, serving in a administration function for the corporate for a to-be-announced crew.
Velasquez, a former undisputed heavyweight champion twice throughout his tenure with the UFC, is about to be joined by long-time American Kickboxing Academy head coach, Javier Mendez, with the veteran tactician set to function head coach of the crew, as per a press launch issued by GFL this Friday night.
Per GFL,
Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez has joined the GFL as a crew supervisor. His first act of responsibility was signing his world famend coach, Javier Mendez, as head coach of his crew. pic.twitter.com/D9cbRe5r0i
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 3, 2025
Velasquez, 42, has not competed in blended martial arts competitors since 2019, most lately headlining a UFC Struggle Evening Phoenix card in opposition to fellow former champion, Francis Ngannou, struggling a primary spherical knockout loss of their headliner in Arizona.
Cain Velasquez set to function administration with new GFL promotion
And not using a win since 2016, Cain Velasquez marked his return to motion on the monumental UFC 200 card on the preliminary portion of the occasion, touchdown a buzzer-beating first spherical floor strikes TKO win over perennial contender, Travis Browne.
And twice successful spoils on the heavyweight restrict within the Octagon, Velasquez would flip in first spherical knockout win over Brock Lesnar again in 2010, earlier than scoring a rematch unanimous choice win over three-fight rival, Junior dos Santos two years later to start his second coronation.
The acquisition of Cain Velasquez by the GFL comes off the again of current affirmation from one other Octagon alum; Paige VanZant of a transfer to the newly-minted firm, spelling her return to blended martial arts competitors for the primary time in 5 years.
Yeah, I feel that I’m stepping again into the world of MMA,” Paige VanZant stated. “They [the GFL] supplied me a contract and I stated, ‘Yes’. So, I’m going again to MMA, and I feel that is the proper alternative as a result of I positively didn’t depart MMA as a result of I wasn’t enthusiastic about it anymore.
“Now there’s this new MMA organization that actually made me really excited to fight for them,” VanZant defined. “They are legit paying their athletes. Everyone that I’ve heard that has negotiated their contracts so far is extremely excited and happy. They’re doing a pension fund for the fighters, and I think health insurance… You just never know when it’s over, so I wanna do everything I can to make the most money while I can, and be able to provide for my family forever.”
