Velasquez to undergo surgery following UFC 207 bout

Cain Velasquez's latest comeback already has a speed bump in view.

Regardless of how his upcoming rematch with Fabricio Werdum turns out, the 34-year-old heavyweight could find himself removed from the title picture for a while as he prepares to go under the knife. During a conference call Wednesday, Velasquez revealed that he will undergo surgery following their fight at UFC 207.

The purpose of the call was to announce the formation of the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. Velasquez shared the surgery news while describing the hardships that fighters endure for their sport. A history of maladies has limited Velasquez to three fights in the past three years.

"I wanted to talk about something that I know far too well," Velasquez said, according to Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting. "My first fight in the UFC was in 2008. Since that time, I've had seven surgeries. Two meniscus surgeries, one MCL surgery on my right knee, taking cartilage out of my left elbow, both shoulder(s) I've had torn labrums that needed repairing, and back surgery. I have a fight Dec. 30. After that fight, I'm already scheduled for my next surgery."

Werdum and Velasquez are currently No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the UFC's official rankings, with Werdum having submitted Velasquez last June to become the heavyweight champion. The Brazilian subsequently dropped the title via first-round KO to Stipe Miocic.

After losing to Werdum, Velasquez was on the shelf for over a year. He made a triumphant return at UFC 200 with a TKO win over Travis Browne, setting up a rematch with Werdum that would logically produce Miocic's next challenger.

Should Velasquez defeat Werdum and then end up on the sidelines for a prolonged period, UFC matchmakers will be left with more questions than answers.