Cain Velasquez shows deep respect to Francis Ngannou in emotional MVP faceoff before heavyweight clash
During the official ceremonial faceoffs for MVP MMA’s inaugural event “Rousey vs. Carano” at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, one unexpected moment completely stole attention away from the cameras, the staredowns, and even the upcoming fights. Cain Velasquez suddenly stepped into the middle as Francis Ngannou faced off with Philipe Lins ahead of their heavyweight matchup.
Instead of tension or intimidation, Cain greeted Francis Ngannou with a sincere embrace, holding him with visible admiration and looking at him with the kind of respect that only another heavyweight warrior could fully understand. Fans immediately noticed the emotion in the interaction.
A moment between heavyweight legends full of respect and history
The connection between Velasquez and Ngannou goes back years. The two men famously fought in the main event of UFC on ESPN 1 in Phoenix back in 2019, when Ngannou brutally knocked out Cain in just 26 seconds, officially announcing himself as the new terrifying force of the heavyweight division.
For many fighters, moments like that create resentment or rivalry. But with time, the relationship between both heavyweights appears to have evolved into something very different: mutual admiration.
Cain Velasquez remains one of the most respected heavyweights in MMA history. A two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, he built his reputation through relentless pressure, elite wrestling, and legendary cardio that earned him the nickname “Cardio Cain.” His wars against Junior dos Santos and dominant championship runs helped define an entire era of heavyweight MMA.
Ngannou, meanwhile, became one of the most feared punchers combat sports has ever seen. The former UFC heavyweight champion built a global reputation through devastating knockouts and one of the most unbelievable life stories in sports, rising from extreme poverty in Cameroon to worldwide superstardom. His professional MMA record currently stands at 18 wins and 3 losses, while Cain finished his MMA career with a 14-3 record.
There was also extra emotion surrounding Cain’s appearance. After years away from the spotlight and personal legal troubles that deeply affected his life and career, seeing him back around a major fight event again already carried emotional weight for many longtime MMA fans.
As for Francis Ngannou, tonight marks another major chapter in his return to MMA. He is scheduled to face former PFL heavyweight tournament winner Philipe Lins in a featured heavyweight bout at MVP MMA 1 during the “Rousey vs. Carano” card.
The event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will stream live on Netflix in the United States. The main card is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, with prelims starting earlier at 6 p.m. ET.
