Why did the UFC sign Cain Velasquez ?

Heavyweight
Hispanic market
Wrestling accolades
Gym reputation?
 
After high school, he attended Iowa Central Community College, wrestling for one season (2001–02) and winning the NJCAA National Championship in the heavyweight (285 lb limit) division.[16] Afterwards, Velasquez transferred to Arizona State University. He wrestled for the Sun Devils for three seasons and compiled a record of 86–17, placing 5th in the country in 2005, and 4th in 2006.
 
Package deal with teh Master
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Word of mouth did and still goes a long way in the business world


Its about who you know and the circles you run with. Of course Cain was an exceptional talent but the circles is what brought this to the UFC’s attention
 
Oris79 said:
His record was 2-0 against a couple of unknown guys and the UFC took him in.
I'm glad they did because 2006-2013 Cain was one of the greatest HWs to ever fight. Just curious if anyone knows what the UFC saw in Cain after only two fights ?
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2 huge reasons.

1) Cain was one of the if not the biggest prospect they'd seen yet.
2) after AA v Sylvia 3 they went hard on new HWs. They were ready to move on from AA & Sylvia. In came Cain, Carwin, Lesnar, JDS, and others. Out went AA & Sylvia.
 
greg hardy, brock lesnar. they'll sign anyone at HW who even looks athletic.
 
Also probably signed him for 10/10, they had nothing to lose. Maybe even 5/5 back then.
 
If I remember correctly, he was already a gym legend by that time, and AKA was hyping the absolute shit out of him. When there is talk over and over about the same guy from a reputable gym, the UFC will listen. Cain's entry into the UFC was similar to Jones', although I believe Cain was the more hyped of the two.
 
Something/something Mexican market...
 
rear naked ankle pick said:
Different times, UFC was even deader back then compared to modern dead UFC. They were looking for fighters in homeless shelters and gay bars
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Homeless shelters for strikers and gay bars for grapplers?

So if the UFC was deader back then than now, you could say the UFC has come more alive in recent years. Just trying to be cup half-full guy.
 
kingghidrah said:
After high school, he attended Iowa Central Community College, wrestling for one season (2001–02) and winning the NJCAA National Championship in the heavyweight (285 lb limit) division.[16] Afterwards, Velasquez transferred to Arizona State University. He wrestled for the Sun Devils for three seasons and compiled a record of 86–17, placing 5th in the country in 2005, and 4th in 2006.
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And since he was a poor Mexican, it meant he definitely could box on top of his wrestling.
 
Cain was finding it impossible to get opponents on the regional circuit after destroying his first 2, plus it was well known that AKA was hyping him up as the best talent at their entire gym regardless of weightclass, and they already had multiple UFC title contenders like Fitch and Koscheck. Between those two things it was a no brainer.

Some guys need 15 fights before they start fighting on the big shows. Other guys you can tell straight away are going to do big things and get signed at 3 or 4-0 like Cain and Weidman.
 
Oris79 said:
His record was 2-0 against a couple of unknown guys and the UFC took him in.
I'm glad they did because 2006-2013 Cain was one of the greatest HWs to ever fight. Just curious if anyone knows what the UFC saw in Cain after only two fights ?

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He was a legit NCAA wrestler with 2 dominating wins and one of the best camps in MMA(AKA) touting his as a thee future HW world champion. Nuff’ said.
 
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