Zuhosky’s Take #18: Greg Velasco is UFC Ready

Next Up: Greg Velasco

CFFC alumni who have graduated to major promotions include former CFFC Heavyweight Championship contender Chris Daukaus (12-6 MMA, 4-2 CFFC), who was called up to the UFC’s roster on short notice almost three years ago right before his second bid at the 265-lb. strap against Shawn Teed (6-3-1 MMA, 6-1-1 CFFC), who most recently fought in Bellator, was to have happened, retired UFC fighter Paul Felder (17-6 MMA. 6-0 CFFC), and Blake Bilder (8-0-1 MMA, 2-0 CFFC). It appears as though the organization will have another graduate ready to put on his cap and gown in short order.

Incumbent CFFC Heavyweight Champion Greg Velasco (6-0 MMA, 6-0 CFFC) has proven to be impressive so far in his young MMA career. After successfully defending the belt a week ago in CFFC 117, his time on the regional circuit could be just about over.

MMA Wasn’t First on Greg Velasco’s Mind

Even though Velasco is currently undefeated in MMA, he had different athletic aspirations earlier on in his life. He’d hoped to suit up on the gridiron.

Last year, ahead of his appearance during CFFC 107, Velasco was interviewed by CFFC.tv, where he discussed that very thing.

“I was going to be stuck between either going to play football, D-I, or wrestling, and I ended up deciding to wrestle,” Velasco said at the time. “After that, I just always loved boxing, so then I was like, ‘Well, why don’t I just do both and get into mixed martial arts?'”

Upon honing his skillset in the amateur ranks in both MMA and Muay Thai, Velasco’s professional MMA career was born. To date, it’s paid off handsomely for the heavyweight champion.

Lengthy Vacation of CFFC Heavyweight Championship

Former CFFC Heavyweight Champion Jamelle Jones (13-8 MMA, 4-2 CFFC), who won the strap in March of 2021, was slated to take on Rakim Cleveland in CFFC 96 on May 28, 2021. However, right before Jones and Cleveland were supposed to have fought one another, the latter became ill, resulting in the fight being postponed, quite literally at the last minute.

In the aftermath of the Jones vs. Cleveland fight getting scrapped on fight night, Jamelle Jones vacated the title without so much as a defense, even though there was talk immediately after the postponed booking in CFFC 96 that the fight would be rebooked for the next night in CFFC 97.

Nothing of the sort ever took place and Jones was signed to the PFL, where he went 2-1. But what to do with the CFFC Heavyweight Championship?

Velasco Takes Vacant Title Last Fall

Ahead of Oct. 8, 2022, CFFC 113, it was announced that a fight for the vacant heavyweight championship would be held that night as the co-main event. Velasco, then 4-0 in professional MMA, was booked to fight Kevin Sears (9-7 MMA, 0-1 CFFC) for the right to be called the eighth CFFC Heavyweight Champion all-time.

Velasco’s wrestling background served him well, as he systematically wore Sears down over 20 minutes of action en route to a unanimous decision win. After taking the championship, he appeared to be one fight away from getting a shot at major MMA.

The PFL Challenger Series came calling earlier in 2023. Week three of the Challenger Series slate featured heavyweight bouts, with Greg Velasco initially being part of the plans that night.

Greg Velasco Sticks With CFFC, Successfully Defends Heavyweight Belt

Before Velasco’s scheduled fight against Vitor Resende (4-1 MMA) took place, he’d withdraw from the contest, clearing the way for his first defense of the strap to proceed as scheduled on March 31. Velasco’s bid to defend the title was successful, violently so, at that.

During the second round of a scheduled four, Velasco had to defend against challenger Ronald Coleman’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but he wasn’t quite finished at that point. About a minute and a half into the period, Coleman executed a double-leg takedown.

Coleman took full mount and it looked like Velasco had no answer, until he attempted to lock in a gogoplata submission from the bottom. At that point, Coleman slowed down the pace of the fight until Velasco reversed position and scored with ground-and-pound shots.

With no effort being made by Ronald Coleman to fight back, referee Dan Miragliotta had no choice but to call a halt to the fight.

Velasco Says He’ll Take Anything After CFFC 117 Co-Main Event

Upon the official decision being announced by CFFC ring announcer Dr. David Sarnoff, the victorious Greg Velasco was interviewed by sports entertainer CM Punk (real name Phillip Brooks). During his post-fight interview, Velasco was asked by CM Punk what comes next.

“Whoever, whenever, I’m always ready to fight,” Velasco began. “So, if they give me the call, I’m going up. Otherwise, I’m here.”

Make no mistake: Greg Velasco should be getting “The Call” from UFC President Dana White in short order. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do.

Hey, Dana White, Make “The Call” to Greg Velasco!

Greg Velasco is a man who has, without any shred of doubt, paid his dues on the regional MMA circuit. It’s high time that he got called up to the UFC.

He could fight in the UFC, or any other major MMA promotion later this summer and win against his opponent with next to no hassle. Having watched his two most recent championship fights, he’s certainly ready to take the spotlight at the next level and be successful.

There are very few grapplers competing at heavyweight in this sport as-is, and Velasco is a special case. He can wear his opponents down throughout a fight, or he can choose to end the fight inside the distance.

Final Thoughts

There isn’t too much left to say about Greg Velasco that hasn’t already been outlined in this article. One final word: If he wasn’t on Dana White’s radar before last weekend, Velasco is definitely there today.

As a matter of fact, he could be on everybody’s radar with this championship reign. His last two fights have happened during weekends when there wasn’t any UFC card that would have otherwise taken viewers away.

Greg Velasco is the UFC’s next stalwart at 265. All that needs to happen is one telephone call.

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