LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cain Velasquez reclaimed the UFC heavyweight championship Saturday night, battering Junior Dos Santos on the way to a lopsided unanimous decision in UFC 155.
Velasquez (11-1) took early control of the rematch of his only career loss, flooring the champion with a big right hand midway through the first round. Velasquez spent most of the match stalking and pounding on Dos Santos (15-2), who never fully recovered from the first-round shot that left him bruised and woozy.Dos Santos landed a couple nice shots, prior to Velasquez taking him down to the mat. On the feet, Velasquez continued to punish Dos Santos not only to the head, but to the body as well. A very gassed Dos Santos didn’t even fight back with a minute and a half left when Velasquez punished him with numerous combinations. Dos Santos ended the round throwing a couple nice punches.The end of the second saw Dos Santos mope again back to his corner.
Dos Santos found his uppercut early in the third, but the strength on his punches had evaporated. Velasquez pressed them to the cage, but this time, he wasn't nearly as hard on the champ as before.As the fifth round started, it was clear "JDS" needed a knockout. It just didn't look like he even had the strength to deliver it anymore.
Sure enough, he didn't, and as the horn sounded it brought with it the beginning of the second heavyweight championship reign of Cain Velasquez.
The final scores were an astounding 50-45, 50-43, and 50-44. Talk about a beating.
Indeed, the relentless pace Velasquez pushed took a toll on his attack. But he continued to press forward through counters and imposed his will against the cage.
