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UFC’s Cain Velasquez expects to be out a year with injury

The good news is that UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez' Tuesday shoulder surgery was a success, according to a tweet the fighter sent out to followers on Wednesday.

"My shoulder surgery yesterday went well. Can't wait to be back at it!," he tweeted.

The bad news is that even after the successful surgery, Velasquez will likely not be able to fight for about a year. Dave Meltzer reports that UFC president Dana White sent him a text message saying that he was told Velasquez will not be able to train with his shoulder for a full six months. That means that, after recovering, beginning training again and a full training camp, Velasquez would be looking at a fall, 2014 return to action at the earliest.

This would not be the first time Velasquez would have to wait a year or more between fights in recent memory. After winning UFC gold in October of 2010, the new champ had to undergo surgery and recovery before defending and losing his title to Junior Dos Santos more than a year later in November, 2011.

UFC champs have struggled with serious injuries lately. Bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz has not fought for about two years since injuring and re-injuring an ACL in his knee. Jon Jones has had his next title defense sort of scheduled three different times because he needs time to rest and heal after his brutal bout in September to Alexander Gustafsson.

Georges St. Pierre may not be seriously injured, but he's got his own stuff going on as well.

We'll keep you posted on any news that emerges with this story as it does.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda and @YahooCagewriter