(photo via Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-0) has apparently suffered a shoulder injury that will see him sidelined for six to eight months.
News of the injury was first reported Wednesday evening by MMAFighting.com and has since been confirmed with Velasqueze’s management team at Zinkin Entertainment.
Velasquez earned the UFC title after beating former champ Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 last October. Many fans were hoping his first title defense to happen in early Spring against Junior dos Santos, but they’ll have to wait for the champ to return this summer.
Dos Santos earned the #1 contender status after he earned a unanimous decision win over Roy “Big Country” Nelson at UFC 117 last August. The Brazilian heavyweight will have to sit till Velasquez is ready to return, similar to the situation that Rashad Evans has experienced waiting for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to return from injury.