Cain Velasquez dominates, stops Travis Browne in Round 1 at UFC 200
— -- LAS VEGAS -- Cain Velasquez throws wheel kicks now.
The former heavyweight champion finished Travis Browne via strikes on the ground at 4:57 of the first round. However, that came after he surprised everyone in the arena with a spinning wheel kick. The heavyweight bout was a featured prelim at UFC 200 on Saturday inside T-Mobile Arena.
Velasquez (14-2) surrendered his title in a submission loss to Fabricio Werdum in June 2015. The two were supposed to fight again earlier this year, but Velasquez was forced to pull out due to a back injury. His return was a successful one, as he hurt Browne with the wheel kick and dropped him with an overhand right.
Near the end of the round, Browne was on the floor and couldn't even prop himself up anymore as Velasquez delivered blows to the head from behind. Referee John McCarthy elected to step in, just three seconds shy of the break.
"I have a lot of respect for Travis," Velasquez said. "He fights hard. It feels good to be back and fight in front of everyone and get a win.
"I want to fight the best guys. Whoever the UFC wants, but I want to fight the best guys."
Fighting out of American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California, Velasquez displayed the same pressure style that has twice made him a UFC heavyweight champion. Browne looked hurt and sluggish from the onslaught. He threw everything he had into a counter right elbow that missed badly and set up a Velasquez takedown.
Velasquez improves upon an already stellar UFC record. His biggest issue has been staying healthy, as he has lost time to injuries to his knee, shoulder and back.
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"Super" Sage wins third fight in the UFC
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Miller finishes Gomi in Round 1
Veteran lightweight Jim Miller (26-8) made quick work of Takanori Gomi (35-12), finishing him with strikes on the ground to collect a TKO victory at 2:18 of the first round. Miller scored an early takedown and threatened with a rear-naked, before switching to punches to the side of the head. It's his first win of 2016.