Advertisement

UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez avoids surgery, looks to physical therapy to recover before return

We knew that Cain Velasquez' shoulder was hurt, we just didn't know exactly how bad. Velasquez himself still does not know how long he'll be out but at least he now knows that he should be able to recover fully without undergoing surgery.

The UFC heavyweight champion told UFC Tonight that he expects to be able to heal and get back to 100% with just physical therapy. In a couple weeks, Velasquez said that in order to put together a realistic time table for his return to training and competition.

The UFC is hoping to hold their first ever event in Mexico soon but president Dana White has said publicly that the organization will wait to hold that event until Velasquez is ready to fight on the card. Brazilian Fabricio Werdum is currently viewed as a likely next challenger for Velasquez.

The champ last fought and beat his rival Junior Dos Santos for a second time in October. Werdum last fought in June and is currently riding a three fight win streak.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda