Luke Rockhold hints that Cain Velasquez could return for title fight very soon

It has now been more than a year since Cain Velasquez’s last fight, a July 2016 mauling of the ever-dangerous Travis Browne. This, of course, is not for lack of trying. The former heavyweight champ was briefly scheduled for a December rematch with Fabricio Werdum, but unfortunately withdrew from this fight with the latest in the long string of injuries that has marred his recent career.

For a time, it sounded as though it could be awhile before the oft-injured Velasquez stepped back into the cage. Apparently, however, he might be back in action quite soon.

According to former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who is a long-time friend and training partner of Velasquez, Velasquez could be back in the cage and fighting for the heavyweight title in the coming months. Rockhold made this exciting claim on ESPN’s Five Rounds podcast.

“I think it’s very likely you could see Cain back in the cage, for the title, in the coming months.” — Luke Rockhold on Five Rounds.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 3, 2017

“I think it’s very likely you could see Cain back in the cage, for the title, in the coming months,” Rockhold told hosts Brett Okamoto and Arda Ocal. 

All of this, of course, is very much in keeping with a recent report from BJPenn.com’s very own soothsayer, Chris Taylor, which said that a matchup between champ Stipe Miocic and Velasquez was in the works. This report was confirmed by the ever-reliable James Lynch.

I’m told that the UFC is aiming to have former champ @cainmma be the next man to challenge @stipemiocicufc. Either late summer or early fall

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) May 27, 2017

I am told that the UFC is aiming to have a heavyweight title fight between Stipe Miocic and Cain Velasquez headline #UFC216 this October.

— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) July 17, 2017

Per @CTaylor_96 report yesterday. @MMAOddsBreaker spoke to a source close to the situation today. Fight is happening https://t.co/n7QrjnrMbM

— James Lynch (@LynchOnSports) July 20, 2017

How do you think Cain Velasquez will look in his return to action?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 8/2/2017.