2019, The return of the king! Heavyweights get ready! Your belt is waiting for you champ! #bayareownsheavyweight #WeAreAKA @officialcainvelasquez pic.twitter.com/t8mnz8fZA5
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 9, 2018
Daniel Cormier is planning on retiring from MMA in early 2019, likely after either facing Brock Lesnar or Jon Jones.
When he does, the UFC heavyweight title could be left vacant, and “DC” already has the next owner picked out.
Cain Velasquez, a teammate of Cormier’s at AKA, hasn’t fought since 2016 when he finished Travis Browne. He is 14-2 overall and a former two-time champion, having defended it a total of twice.
Injuries, though, have forced Velasquez to miss several months and planned fights over the years. Since losing the belt in 2013, he has fought just twice, and is 5-1 since 2012.
Cormier currently holds the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles, having successfully defended the heavyweight belt vs. Derrick Lewis last month.