(photo via UFC.com)
UFC president Dana White has confirmed the event for heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar’s (5-1) next title defense. Lesnar will face Cain Velasquez (8-0) at the yet-to-be officially announced UFC 121 on Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
MMAFighting.com was first to break the news Friday night after speaking with White.
Lesnar is coming off his second successful title defense after using a surprise submission to defeat knock-out artist Shane Carwin last weekend at UFC 116 in Las Vegas. That victory was the former professional wrestler’s fourth straight win, having defeated former champ Frank Mir last summer at UFC 100.
Velasquez is undefeated in eight bouts and has won all six of his UFC fights. He’s earned his title shot after defeating former PRIDE champion Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira last February at UFC 110. Velasquez KO’d Nogueira to win his second “Knockout of the Night” honor in that fight.
The winner is expected to face either Junior dos Santos or Roy “Big Country” Nelson who face off at UFC 117.
Other bouts rumored for UFC 121 are as follows:
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– Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez
– Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. TBA
– Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor