Browne bested by Velasquez at UFC 200

Travis Browne knew that to defeat Cain Velasquez, he would have to keep his distance, he would have to keep Velasquez from doing what Velasquez does.

Unfortunately for the Glendale Fighting Club heavyweight, Velasquez was in vintage form on Saturday night at UFC 200 in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titlist used his trademark pressure game to push forward and stop Browne with ground strikes at the 4:57 mark of the first round.

“It feels good. I have a lot of respect for Travis. He goes out there and fights hard,” said Velasquez in a postfight interview in the octagon. “It just feels good to come back and fight in front of everyone and get a win.”

Velasquez (14-2, 12-2 in UFC), the second-ranked fighter in the UFC heavyweight rankings, was fighting for the first time since losing his UFC title to Fabricio Werdum in June of 2015. He collected his 10th knockout inside the octagon, which is a heavyweight record.

It came at the expense of Browne (18-4-1, 9-4-1 in UFC), as the seventh-ranked heavyweight lost for the third time over his last five bouts. He is now 2-2 since joining coach Edmond Tarverdyan at the Glendale Fighting Club.

It was Browne who landed the first good shot of the bout just a few seconds in when he followed a Velasquez leg kick with an accurate right hand down the middle. But Velasquez was in classic form, showcasing the skills that made him a two-time UFC champion and have him regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time.

“I’m always looking for perfection,” Velasquez said. “I thought my timing was off a little bit.”

The fight was the first of the UFC 200 pay-per-view broadcast and it ended with Browne’s third loss via technical knockout, all of them coming in the first round, as Browne, win or lose, has built a reputation for having exciting fights with only three of his 23 career fights having gone the distance.

To start the contest, Velasquez fired off an early leg kick and Browne countered with a pinpoint straight right hand that connected well. However, it did little to stop Velasquez from pressing forward, using left jabs and right leg kicks.

Velasquez eventually shot in with a single-leg attempt. Browne defended the takedown well, but was clinched up against the cage, where Velasquez landed some knees and punches before they separated.

Browne fired off some left jabs and looked to maintain distance, but Velasquez landed a combination to get inside and forced a brief clinch again. Velasquez then landed a surprising wheel kick and then unloaded right and left hands with Browne up against the cage.

They parted again and Velasquez dropped Browne with a booming overhand right. Velasquez smothered Browne on the canvas, unleashing punches, briefly going for a rear-naked choke and then riding Browne back to the ground. They arose to their feet and Browne landed a good left hook, but still appeared groggy.

Browne ate a solid knee from the clinch and then Velasquez ducked down, swiftly moved in for a takedown and began the concluding sequence as he unleashed a relentless barrage of punches as Browne covered up facedown on the canvas. Referee John McCarthy stopped the bout with just three seconds remaining in the opening stanza.

Velasquez took a moment before returning to the ground to embrace Browne.