After coming off a win over Junior Dos Santos on Dec. 28 to regain his belt, former ASU wrestler Cain Velasquez sat down with The State Press to discuss his upcoming title defense against Silva in UFC 160, how he draws support from ASU and his current relationship with the wrestling team.
The State Press: You just fought Silva not too long ago. How do you psych yourself up to train for someone you beat so decisively last time?
Cain Velasquez: I know what I’m doing it for: to retain the belt, and that’s all that matters. It’s not hard, you know.
SP: So what is your plan going to be when you face Silva this time?
CV: Our strategy will be the same thing. We didn’t get to show much of it, because the fight was so short last time, but be ready for him and be ready to see if he comes out more aggressive this time. We know we need to be quicker than him, that’s our main goal in this fight.
SP: On the same card as Silva and yourself, Junior dos Santos is fighting Mark Hunt. The winner more than likely gets a title shot. Who would you rather fight?
CV: The better guy. Whoever would win that fight; I’d want to fight the better guy.
SP: Well, who do you think is going to win?
CV: Maybe Junior. … I think he’s more skilled in the standup just a little bit more but, I mean, Mark Hunt is good in the standup too; he’s got good power, so both guys could end up on top, but I kind of give the edge to Junior.
SP: Speaking of Junior dos Santos, what was it like to beat him and get that weight off your chest of avenging your one loss?
CV: It was a great feeling, man. Before, I definitely just thought about it a lot, but I knew I’d have my chance. I had to get past the first “Bigfoot” fight, and I knew I would get the shot; I just didn’t know when. As soon as I got the call and everything else for that fight, it definitely was on. … I won the fight. I mean, it felt good, you know. Everything from how the fight went, how I performed and everything, it just felt really good. It kind of proved to everybody and myself that I could do it.
SP: Now, you didn’t after the second dos Santos fight, but usually after you win, you throw up the pitchfork. You were an All-American wrestler at ASU. How much inspiration do you draw from being a Sun Devil?
CV: Being on the wrestling team, having that strong wrestling background, ASU being a school that has a lot of MMA fighters, a lot of past great ones too, it’s a good thing or me to carry on tradition. I love being from here. Even though I live in California now, I still root for Arizona teams when I’m there. I just have that strong sense of where I came from and where it all started from.
SP: Being a former ASU wrestler, do you still keep in touch with the wrestling program?
CV: I just talk to my friend Brian (Stith). He’s the assistant coach at ASU, and just ask him always how the team is going and which guys are looking good and everything else like that. … I’m always keeping ties on the team and kind of where it’s going.
SP: Do you have time to stop by the wrestling room very often? Or are you just so busy that it’s hard to make time?
CV: I’ll come in every once in a while. I come to Arizona probably once or twice a year. Since my best friend is the assistant coach there, whenever I can, I’ll go to the room and kind of watch practice or go to the ICA and say "hi" to all the coaches and everybody else.
SP: How do you stay grounded, especially with all of your fame and notoriety?
CV: I think one thing has been keeping the same friends that I’ve had since I was a little kid and in college and having good people around me. My family, my wife, my daughter, they kind of keep me grounded. I think another thing is not really liking too much of the limelight. I’d rather just train and fight.
Reach the reporter at ejsmith7@asu.edu
