Cain Velasquez backs Islam Makhachev to extend historic UFC run

CainVelasquez has heaped praise on IslamMakhachev.Velasquez considers Makhachev an extraordinary athlete who hasreached the pinnacle of the sport. From conversations with hiscoach, Javier Mendez, Velasquez knows that the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight king is a hardworker in the gym.

Cain Velasquez explains why Islam Makhachev continues todominate under Javier Mendez

Having been honed into a champion himself by Mendez, Velasquezknows that Makhachev is in good hands with the American Kickboxing Academy coach. The Hall of Famer and formerUFC heavyweight champion believes the Dagestani will continue hisdominant title run."[Islam] is a special type of athlete," Velasquez told Red CornerMMA. "He's one of the guys at the pinnacle of this sport. I talkwith Javier all the time, and Islam and those guys are always doinggreat. They are in great hands. Javier is the one who buildschampions… I see Islam continuing to do what he's been doing, andthat's winning impressively. He's somebody who has mastered allaspects of MMA."Velasquez was the flagbearer for AKA before the likes of DanielCormier, LukeRockhold and KhabibNurmagomedov won gold in the UFC. Makhachev is the latest tobring a UFC championship to the gym.Makhachev (28-1) is undefeated in 16 straight UFC outings since hislone professional loss in 2015. He defended the UFC lightweighttitle four times, the most in the division's history, before movingup to welterweight and dominantly dethroning JackDella Maddalena to win the 170-pound title.Makhachev is now set to defend his welterweight title for the firsttime against Ian Garry(17-1) at UFC330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Center in Philadelphia. Asuccessful title defense will see the Russian break the record forthe longest win streak in the history of the Octagon.