Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has given the mixed martial arts community a glimpse into his ongoing return to the gym, sharing a video of himself working out at the state-of-the-art UFC Performance Institute alongside former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira.
In the newly shared training clip, Velasquez can be seen actively coaching and instructing the heavy-hitting Brazilian star, who is universally known by his nickname "Poatan." The footage highlights Velasquez breaking down technical aspects of the sport for Pereira, specifically demonstrating how to effectively escape and break out of back control while in a standing position. Such grappling nuances are critical for strikers transitioning or facing heavier opponents, and drawing on the expertise of a lifelong wrestler and former heavyweight kingpin provides an invaluable resource for any athlete stepping up in weight classes.
The timing of this high-level training session is far from coincidental. Alex Pereira is currently preparing for one of the most intriguing challenges of his illustrious career as he officially steps into the heavyweight division. "Poatan," who has already cemented his legacy by capturing championship gold in two different weight classes under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner, is scheduled to face hard-hitting Russian powerhouse Sergei Pavlovich. The high-stakes heavyweight bout is slated to take place at UFC 335, which will be hosted at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 12.
For Pereira, absorbing knowledge from a heavyweight great like Velasquez offers a tactical advantage as he prepares to test his skills against the imposing size and power of fighters like Pavlovich. Velasquez, throughout his legendary career under the Zuffa and UFC banner, was widely celebrated for his relentless pace, suffocating wrestling, and unmatched cardio in the heavyweight division—traits that make his coaching insights on positional escapes particularly valuable.
Velasquez himself remains a monumental figure in the history of the sport, widely and frequently regarded by analysts, fighters, and fans alike as one of the greatest heavyweight champions of all time. Known for his devastating combinations, incredible conditioning for a man of his size, and two separate reigns over the UFC heavyweight division, Velasquez’s presence inside the UFC Performance Institute continues to command immense respect from both current fighters and coaching staffs.
This recent appearance at the Performance Institute and the sharing of the training video also arrive following a deeply challenging period in Velasquez’s personal life away from the competitive spotlight. Velasquez was released from prison in February following a ten-month sentence. His legal troubles stemmed from a high-profile arrest in February 2022, an incident that shocked the sports world and triggered widespread public debate. The arrest occurred after Velasquez pursued and fired a weapon at a truck carrying Harry Goularte, a man who had been accused of the alleged molestation of Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son.
The ordeal brought intense media scrutiny and an outpouring of support from various figures within the mixed martial arts community who sympathized with the former champion’s protective instincts as a father. Following his release from custody earlier this year, Velasquez has gradually reintegrated himself into the sport he helped shape, spending time around training facilities, imparting his deep tactical knowledge to the next generation of elite fighters, and reconnecting with the community that has stood by him throughout his legal battles.
The sight of Velasquez back on the mats, healthy, engaged, and actively contributing to the camp of a marquee superstar like Alex Pereira, marks another significant chapter in the ongoing narrative of the former heavyweight champion’s life post-incarceration. As Pereira sharpens his grappling defense and prepares for his crucial heavyweight encounter against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 in Las Vegas on December 12, the collaboration between two of the sport’s most compelling figures underscores the enduring camaraderie and knowledge-sharing that defines the highest levels of professional mixed martial arts training.
