Former champ Cain
Velasquez offered high praise for Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight
standout Sergei
Pavlovich.
Pavlovich (18-1) and fellow contender Tom
Aspinall are widely regarded as part of the next generation to
potentially rule over the UFC’s heavyweight division. Recently
asked about his opinion on the division, Velasquez hailed Aspinall
and especially Pavlovich as future champ prospects.
Velasquez also revealed that he had trained with Pavlovich at
American Kickboxing Academy several years ago. The former champ
noted that while he still acquits himself well in training,
Pavlovich was one of the few he found “difficult” to deal with. He
also lauded the wrestling skills of Pavlovich, who is currently on
a six-fight first-round KO streak. The 41-year-old recently told
The
Schmo:
“With Sergey, I’ve actually trained with him,” the former UFC
heavyweight kingpin stated. “It was a couple of years ago too. So
obviously, when he wasn’t at this level yet. And he’s really tough
to deal with. And, me training with him at AKA, not a lot of guys
get the better of me, and he was one of those guys where it was
like, he was very difficult to do what I wanted to do against him.
A good strong wrestling background, very strong wrestling defense
but also hard punching and really good striking. Long, long and
powerful; really tough to deal with.”