Cain Velasquez vs. Ren Rothwell

Velasquez grinds down Rothwell (see VIDEO on the end)

There may have been little doubt in the outcome of the heavyweight contender matchup between Cain Velasquez and Ben Rothwell, but referee Steve Mazzagatti created a storm of controversy by stepping in to stop the fight just 58 seconds into Round 2.

Velasquez dominated the first frame and was on his way to another lopsided round in the second when Mazzagatti broke the fighters. He halted the fight while Velasquez had Rothwell pinned against the cage landing unanswered blows to his face. Velasquez said it felt like Rothwell could have kept going.

The odd part of the equation was the fact that Mazzagatti had allowed the bout to continue in the first round when Velasquez was in a much more dominant position and doing similar damage.

The Mexican heavyweight, who may now very well find himself in line to face the winner of the Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin bout scheduled for Nov. 21, showed why he has been so highly praised so early in his career by outclassing a veteran of Rothwell's caliber.

Rothwell, who lost for just the second time in 16 fights, established himself early in the first round by landing the better shots on the feet and escaping to his feet after a couple of takedowns. Velasquez put an end to any hopes Rothwell may have harbored about winning his UFC debut by slamming him to the mat midway through the opening period and pounding him until the round came to a close.

"Coming off the last win, I wanted to keep improving and getting better, and that's what I'm doing," Velasquez said.

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Cain Velasquez vs. Ren Rothwell

VIDEO Cain Velasquez vs. Ren Rothwell