When the loaded UFC 200 pay-per-view gets underway it will be two of the best heavyweights in the world kicking off the show.
No. 3-ranked Cain Velasquez (13-2), according to Bleacher Report‘s June MMA rankings, steps back inside the Octagon for the first time since losing the UFC heavyweight championship against No. 7-ranked Travis Browne (18-3-1).
Velasquez was once the undisputed kingpin of the division, but injuries have kept him away from the cage. His return last June removed any luster that was left with a tiring performance against Fabricio Werdum. Browne has not been lighting up the scene either, and is coming off a victory mired in controversy.
In January, Browne squared off against Matt Mitrione. He got the TKO win in the third round, but only after several fouls without a single point deduction. The eye pokes altered the course of the fight and gave Browne a clear advantage.
Now Browne is meeting the former champion with the hopes to establish himself as a title contender. Will he be able to stop the former champion? Can Velasquez return to former glory with a vintage nonstop performance? There is only one way to know, and how they match up is paramount. Here is the head-to-toe breakdown for UFC 200’s main card kick-starter.