CREST HILL, Ill. – The MMA world got a little jolt on Thursday when the UFC and Brock Lesnar announced the heavyweight’s diverticulitis had returned and he was back on the shelf.
Count UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez in with that group. He was waiting in the wings with a careful eye on the planned main event at UFC 131 in June between Lesnar, the former champ, and Junior dos Santos, since that winner would get the next shot at Velasquez.
When the news broke, Velasquez had to shift gears and start thinking about Shane Carwin and dos Santos, even though a fight with either of them is likely at least five months away. Carwin will step in for Lesnar to face dos Santos, currently coaching opposite Lesnar on Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” But after conducting a seminar at Clay Guida’s MMA Stop Fitness in Crest Hill, Ill., on Friday, Velasquez told MMA Fighting he believes Lesnar will make another comeback from the digestive disorder – and will be better than ever.
“It sucks, but it happens in this sport,” Velasquez said. “People get hurt all the time and pull out of fights. But he’ll come back, and he’ll come back stronger. It sucks right now, but we already have somebody tough coming up with Shane (replacing him).”