Author: MMA Fighting Newswire

Though he suffered his first loss in nearly four years, and lost the heavyweight title in the process, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is already looking to return.

And according to a report on UFC Tonight, Velasquez came out of his UFC 188 title fight with Fabricio Werdum without any lingering injuries. He’d like to make his return at UFC 192 in Houston in October.

Sources close to Velasquez told Ariel Helwani that he wanted to compete on that particular card because that’s the same one his training partner — and current light heavyweight champion — Daniel Cormier is hoping to fight on. That event will take place at the Toyota Center on Oct. 3, the same venue that Velasquez defended his title against Junior dos Santos on at UFC 166.

Though he is zeroing in on a date and city, the report said that Velasquez does not yet have an opponent in mind.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Canadian UFC welterweight contender Rory MacDonald spoke to the media at Wednesday’s UFC 189 open workouts about facing Robbie Lawler, changing his training camp, watching tape and much more.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler spoke to the media at the UFC 189 open workouts on Wednesday about facing Rory MacDonald, not doing a ton of media to promote the fight and more.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes spoke to the media at the UFC 189 open workouts. The Team Alpha Male fighter spoke about Conor McGregor’s verbal insults, his short training camp, being a lifelong competitor and much more.

Rashad Evans will be making his long-awaited return to the Octagon this fall.

On UFC Tonight Wednesday, UFC president Dana White announced that Evans will face Ryan Bader at UFC 192 in Houston. That event takes place on Oct. 3 at the Toyota Center.

Evans last fought in Nov. 2013 at UFC 167, meaning it will be nearly two years between bouts for the former UFC light heavyweight champion. In that fight, Evans defeated Chael Sonnen via first round TKO. Before that, Evans earned a split decision victory over Dan Henderson at UFC 161.

Bader, meanwhile, is riding a four-fight win streak that dates back to 2013. In his last fight in January, Bader defeated Phil Davis at UFC on FOX 14 via unanimous decision. After that win, Bader was slated to fight eventual 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier in June, yet Cormier was plucked from the card to face Anthony Johnson at UFC 187.

Bader had been campaigning for a title shot against Cormier, and the two had an altercation at the UFC 187 post-fight press conference. However, the UFC has elected to have Swedish fighter Alexander Gustafsson get the next shot.

“Ryan Bader, go out and earn your title shot, bud,” Cormier said after the news broke on UFC Tonight. “Let’s see what you can do. Now beat Rashad Evans, then you can come get beat up by me.”

LAS VEGAS — Conor McGregor discusses his weight cut, his possible bet with Dana White, Sinead O’Connor singing his walkout song, and much more.