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Cain Velasquez is back. The former UFC heavyweight champion was a favorite over Travis Browne on Saturday in his first fight since 2015 and showed why early and often.

Velasquez dominated Browne from the opening bell, controlling the much larger fighter with some vicious kicks and punches. The most unique coming with a spinning back heel to the dome.

Velasquez was able to stay tight with his body and keep Browne's length at bay. Then, he was able to take Browne's back and drop huge punches to score the TKO just before the end of the first round.

If Velasquez is back to top form, which it sure looked like on Saturday, there is no reason for him to not get a shot at the heavyweight crown against Stipe Miocic or Alstair Overeem. Velasquez is now 5-1 in his last six with the lone loss coming against Fabricio Werdum in June 2015. The loss is credited to the fight happening at elevation in Mexico City, but Velasquez didn't even get there until fight week. He was out of gas after Round 1.

Velasquez, at his best, could be considered one of the greatest heavyweights in UFC history. He has wins over Junior dos Santos (twice), Brock Lesnar and Antonio Nogueira. Hopefully this is the start of his third run at the heavyweight crown.