VIDEO | Cain Velasquez shares training footage ahead of fight with Francis Ngannou

Cain Velasquez (14-2 MMA) will return from a thirty-month hiatus in the main event of UFC Phoenix on February 17 to take on Francis Ngannou.

The former UFC heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, has not competed inside the octagon since July of 2016, where he defeated Travis Browne via first-round TKO at UFC 200.

Velasquez has dealt with a number of different injuries over the past few years, which have subsequently prevented the American Kickboxing Academy product from competing inside of the octagon.

The 36-year-old recently took to Twitter where he posted some recent training footage.

Check that out below.

No days off. Can’t wait! #UFCPhoenix pic.twitter.com/dOS2S6moTc

— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) January 12, 2019

“No days off. Can’t wait! #UFCPhoenix”

As for his UFC Phoenix opponent, Francis Ngannou is coming off a spectacular first-round TKO victory over perennial division contender Curtis Blaydes this past November in China.

The win snapped a two-fight losing streak for “The Predator”, and served as his second career victory over Blaydes.

During his time with the UFC, Francis Ngannou has gone 7-2, with all seven of his victories coming by way of stoppage.

Meanwhile, long-time friend and training partner of Cain Velasquez, former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson, recently told BJPENN.com that he expects attempt the UFC to seemingly replace Daniel Cormier with Cain Velasquez, this after “DC” retires later this year.

“The thing is, ‘DC’ is not going to be around much longer. Let alone to save a card last minute like he’s doing for UFC 230. In the future, they will be needing someone like Cain Velasquez to step up and do it. It’s up to the UFC to step up and pay him a little extra money or risk having a poor heavyweight division. Heavyweights sell man. Especially a heavyweight like Cain Velasquez. He knows his worth and hopefully the UFC will see that and get things done. Cain Velasquez brings with him the entire Mexican market and that is a big deal.”

In order to replace his good friend and training partner Daniel Cormier at the top of the UFC’s heavyweight division, Cain Velasquez will first have to get past the dangerous knockout artist that is Francis Ngannou.

Who do you think will emerge victorious in the main event of UFC Phoenix on February 17. Velasquez or Ngannou? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!