Healthy Cain Velasquez Eyes Return At October 3’s UFC 192

Following a vicious third round submission loss to Fabricio Werdum in the main event of June 13’s UFC 188 pay-per-view (PPV) from Mexico City, the status of oft-injured former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was unknown.

Tonight (Wed., July 8, 2015) news has arrived from UFC Tonight’s Ariel Helwani that Velasquez emerged from the bout without any major injuries and wants to get back in the cage sooner than later:

“The good news is, no major injuries. He’s healthy, he’s ready to go, he wants to get back in there., and sources have told me that Cain Velasquez wants to fight October 3, UFC 192 in Houston, Texas, which by the way that you (speaking to co-host, Velasquez’ teammate, and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier) want to fight on.”

It’s no doubt excellent news to hear that the formerly dominant champion emerged from his bout with Werdum unscathed. With a bevy of suddenly interesting heavyweight match-ups now that the division is free of the hold Velasquez put on it while on the sidelines for 20 months, Cormier said the former champ is eying a particular match-up for his perceived return in Houston.

‘DC’ is eying a return of his own at that exact event after a longtime nagging knee injury pushed back his future bout with Alexander Gustafsson to sometime in the fall. The always animated said he and his good friend could sell out the event if they were booked side by side:

“There are two people that are in the running for a title shot – Arlovski or Miocic. Whichever one doesn’t get a title shot, Cain wants to beat them, reclaim his heavyweight championship by the beginning of next year. Put Cain in Houston; we will sell that place out, me and Velasquez.”

Cormier and Velasquez have battled on the same card from Houston at October 2013’s UFC 166. But the difference is Velasquez had the belt then and held onto with perhaps his most dominant performance in a brutal fifth round stoppage of Junior dos Santos.

Now he’s the one chasing a title shot again. Will he earn a chance to fight for the belt by defeating Arlovski or Miocic in Houston?