How Cain Velasquez Stacks Up Against the Rest of the UFC Heavyweight Division

Cain Velasquez's sensational performance against Junior Dos Santos at UFC 155 doesn't bode well for the rest of the heavyweight division.

From beginning to end, Velasquez dominated Dos Santos en-route to reclaiming the UFC heavyweight title in a lopsided unanimous decision.

It was a performance that should cast a sense of dread over the rest of the division, who initially looked to Dos Santos as the best heavyweight in the world.

Fortunately, the heavyweight division is held in check by gargantuan athletes boasting otherworldly knockout power. Fighters don't usually hold onto the UFC heavyweight title for very long.

As seen in Velasquez's first title defense with Dos Santos, the margin for error is slim in the heavyweight division.

There are plenty of heavy-hitters lying in wait for a crack at Velasquez's UFC title. Alistair Overeem is the first name that comes to mind. While Dos Santos is the better boxer, Overeem is by far the most complete striker in the entire division.

It isn't far-fetched to think he could land that fight-ending shot that shortens Velasquez's reign again. There are also bouts with Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett and an inevitable rematch with Dos Santos.

Despite the growing talent at heavyweight, it's still tough to see anyone dethroning Velasquez. He is a vastly underrated striker who can hold his own against any heavyweight in the world, and his wrestling and conditioning is second to none.

Heavyweights aren't able to hang with the kind of pace Velasquez is able to maintain for an entire fight. The current outlook for the rest of the division doesn't look good. Velasquez is in a good position to hold onto the UFC title for a very long time.

The world may not have ended on Dec. 21, but on Dec. 29, the Cain-apocalypse may have been set in motion over the heavyweight division.