UFC Heavyweight Champion Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Cain Velasquez file photo | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is currently undergoing surgery on his right shoulder to repair a partially-torn rotator cuff.

The news was first reported by TMZ.com, and Sherdog.com has confirmed the report with sources close to the fighter.

Velasquez was last seen in the Octagon in October, dethroning the much larger Brock Lesnar in the main event of UFC 121. After an early bull rush from Lesnar, it became apparent that the American Kickboxing Academy product was the much faster man. Velasquez landed hard punches with great accuracy, bloodying the muscular champion and earning the TKO victory late in the first period.

The newly-crowned champion's celebration was short-lived, however. According to a report from USA Today, Velasquez felt something wrong with his shoulder later that night. After having the sore spot examined, it was determined that the fighter had suffered a torn rotator cuff.

It is unknown exactly how long the 28-year-old will be on the shelf, but the timetable for recovery has been estimated as six to eight months.

Meanwhile, the UFC has already made plans for the king's return, as previous No. 1 contender Junior dos Santos will now coach opposite Lesnar on the 13th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” The coaches will then square off at the end of the season to determine a new No. 1 contender for Velasquez's title. Originally, the promotion had planned for “Cigano” to face the champion at UFC 129 on April 30 in Toronto, but that fell through when the severity of Velasquez's injury became apparent.

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Ludwig Requires Surgery for Broken Hand

Duane Ludwig (left): Sherdog.com

UFC veteran Duane “Bang” Ludwig will undergo surgery to repair a broken right hand sustained in the first round of his split decision victory over Brit Nick Osipczak at UFC 122 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Ludwig tweeted the news Wednesday morning, announcing that he had broken his right hand in two places during his victory and would see a new specialist today. A few hours later, the Grudge Training Center product announced that he would require surgery. It is unknown at this time when Ludwig will undergo the procedure. Sherdog could not reach Ludwig for comment.

When UFC 122's co-main event was canceled just hours before the show due to Alessio Sakara's illness, Ludwig's matchup with Osipczak was hurriedly promoted to the main card. “Bang” did not disappoint on the big stage, using crisp standup to outlast the game Brit and earn a hard-fought split decision.

Osipczak dominated the fight in the first round, taking Ludwig down and pounding away, but the 32-year-old battled back to steal the fight in the final frame. Ludwig assaulted an exhausted Osipczak in the third period, with the Brit offering virtually no offense in return.

Prior to UFC 122, Ludwig's last appearance in the Octagon ended in tragedy, as he suffered a gruesome broken ankle during his bout Darren Elkins at UFC Live in March. Despite his recent health issues, Ludwig is greeting the idea of another operation in good spirits, tweeting, “I can't wait for more hardware to be added to my frame.” Ludwig's wife just gave birth to a baby boy -- their second child -- on Nov. 9 while Ludwig was in Germany.

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