New UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez spoke Saturday night about his championship win over Brock Lesnar. Check out the highlights:
On the fight’s opening moments: “We knew his game plan going in, and it kind of surprised me how hard he did go for it in the beginning. I kind of froze just a little bit. I wasn’t as relaxed as I should have been, but I think after that takedown he got on me, that’s when I was like, ‘OK, relax.'”
On keeping cool when Lesnar went down the first time: “I knew the ref wasn’t going to stop it that early. So we had to pick our shots. I wasn’t just going to go crazy [with] punches if he was on bottom. He was covering up well. I wanted some punches to connect, and some elbows to get in there, so I took my time and really thought about where I should throw the punches and where I should give the elbows.”
On the size difference: “I felt his strength, and I felt his power, and I was definitely used to competing with guys that were just as strong as him. I just think I was well-prepared for this fight.”
On what his heritage brings: “I think [Latinos] bring a fighting style that’s always forward,” he said. “We don’t stop. We have that blood in our heart that won’t stop. That’s the kind of fights people want to see, and that’s the kind of fights we bring.”
On his expected fight with Junior Dos Santos: “I have to be a much better fighter. I have to keep evolving. I think [Dos Santos is] the best standup fighter that there is as far as heavyweight, so he’s extremely tough. He has great takedown defense. He gets right back up if you take him down. He’s really relaxed in his boxing, so I definitely have my work cut out for me.”
