Cain Velasquez remains one of the very best heavyweights in mixed martial arts (MMA) today. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) titleholder has lost to just Fabricio Werdum since 2011 and has seemingly healed all of his ailing injuries. Still, Velasquez is fighting an uphill battle to claim a title shot opposite current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, who won the title by defeating Werdum at UFC 198 and then defended gold at UFC 203 opposite Alistair Overeem.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion and pound-for-pound legend Jon Jones is just one of many fighters making a push for a shot at Miocic. According to Velasquez, “Bones” has no business calling out the heavyweight king, especially considering Jones just failed a pre-fight drug test for UFC 200.
“After everything that has been going on as far as his test coming back positive, I think it would be B.S. if he came back and got a title shot right away,” said Velasquez in an interview on “UFC Tonight” earlier this week (h/t FOX Sports).
Jones, who captured the interim light heavyweight strap with a win over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197, would be a perfect candidate to journey up to the heavyweight division. He has defeated every relevant contender at 205 pounds, except Anthony Johnson, and has always hinted towards a move up in weight. But is it fair?
“With him being suspended a little bit longer, that wouldn’t make it fair, but as far as him going in and getting a title shot right away, I would say no, that shouldn’t happen,” added Velasquez.
While it’s unlikely that UFC would grant Jones a shot at gold upon his return, it is possible. After all, he’s arguably the greatest talent in MMA history. All Velasquez can do at this time is build off his recent victory over Travis Browne at UFC 200 and possibly take out Werdum in a potential rematch this December.