UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2 | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Conor McBragger
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Bigfoot 2. May 25, 2013. MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas. Memorial Day weekend. Cain Velasquez made his first UFC Heavyweight Championship defence by TKO over Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva at 1:21 of round one — a rematch of their UFC 146 fight in May 2012, where Velasquez had also won by TKO.
Junior dos Santos knocked out Mark Hunt in the co-main event with a spinning heel kick — one of the most technically impressive finishes in HW history. T.J. Grant defeated Gray Maynard by TKO to earn a UFC Lightweight Championship title shot. Robert Whittaker and Khabib Nurmagomedov both won on the card.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: May 25, 2013 (Memorial Day weekend)
Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Main Event: Cain Velasquez (c) vs. Antonio Silva — UFC HW Championship (first title defence; REMATCH of UFC 146)
Result: Velasquez def. Silva — TKO (Punches) — R1, 1:21; Velasquez landed one-two; Silva dropped; Velasquez followed up
Notable: JDS SPINNING HEEL KICK KOs Mark Hunt (co-main); T.J. Grant earns LW title shot (TKO Maynard); Khabib def. Trujillo; Whittaker UFC win; $50k bonuses
The Build-Up
The fight was a rematch of their UFC 146 bout, where Velasquez had won by a bloody first-round TKO that was nearly stopped by the ringside doctor between rounds due to the severity of cuts on Bigfoot’s face. Velasquez had since beaten JDS at UFC 155 to reclaim the HW title. This was his first official defence of that second reign.
Main Event
Cain Velasquez (c) vs. Antonio Silva — UFC HW Championship
Velasquez circled briefly after the opening bell. He then launched a right-left combination that sent Silva to the canvas. Velasquez followed with ground punches. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight at 1:21. Silva protested, claiming shots to the back of the head. The stoppage stood.
Co-Main Event
Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt — Heavyweight
JDS launched a spinning heel kick in the first round that connected perfectly on Hunt’s head. Hunt went down and the fight was stopped. JDS called out Velasquez for a third meeting immediately post-fight. It was one of the most technically impressive knockouts in HW history.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Khabib Nurmagomedov def. Abel Trujillo — Decision — R3 — LW; Khabib continues unbeaten UFC run
Stephen Thompson def. Nah-Shon Burrell — KO — R? — WW
Robert Whittaker def. Colton Smith — Decision — R3 — MW; Whittaker early UFC career; future MW champion
Dennis Bermudez def. Max Holloway — Decision — R3 — FW
Main Card
Donald Cerrone def. KJ Noons — Decision — R3 — LW
Mike Pyle def. Rick Story — Decision — R3 — WW
T.J. Grant def. Gray Maynard — TKO — R? — LW; Grant earns LW title shot; bonus ($50k)
Glover Teixeira def. James Te Huna — TKO — R? — LHW; Teixeira continues UFC run
Junior dos Santos def. Mark Hunt — KO (Spinning Heel Kick) — R1 — HW; Co-Main; one of the most spectacular HW KOs in UFC history
UFC HW Championship (5 rounds) — Main Event
Cain Velasquez def. Antonio Silva — TKO (Punches) — R1, 1:21 — first HW title defence; second consecutive TKO of Bigfoot
Bonuses & Awards
KO/Performance Night: T.J. Grant vs. Gray Maynard — $50,000 to Grant.
Other bonuses: Various — $50,000 per recipient.
Records & Milestones
Cain Velasquez — first successful UFC HW title defence of his second reign; second consecutive TKO of Bigfoot Silva across two separate fights in 2012 and 2013.
JDS spinning heel kick of Mark Hunt — one of the most technically precise finishes in HW history; a full-rotation heel kick that connected flush on Hunt’s temple.
Robert Whittaker — early UFC career win at UFC 160; Whittaker became UFC MW Champion in 2017 and made five consecutive title defences.
Legacy & Impact
UFC 160 confirmed the HW division’s elite structure. Velasquez defended efficiently. JDS produced one of the division’s most memorable finishes. The co-main’s spinning kick from a former champion to a legitimate contender illustrated the depth and technical range of the division’s top tier. The Cain-JDS trilogy’s third fight was effectively locked in.
FAQ
Was UFC 160 a rematch?
Yes. Velasquez had defeated Bigfoot Silva at UFC 146 in May 2012 by first-round TKO in a fight where Silva bled profusely. The UFC 160 rematch went similarly, with Velasquez finishing at 1:21 of round one.
How did JDS knock out Mark Hunt at UFC 160?
JDS landed a spinning heel kick that connected cleanly on Hunt's head in the first round. The technique is rare in heavyweight competition and the precision of the execution made it one of the most-replayed HW finishes of 2013.
Did T.J. Grant earn a title shot at UFC 160?
Yes. Grant defeated Gray Maynard by TKO and was confirmed as the next UFC Lightweight Championship challenger. He later withdrew from the title shot against Benson Henderson due to injury.
Who was Robert Whittaker at UFC 160?
Whittaker was a young Australian welterweight/middleweight making his mark in the mid-card. He defeated Colton Smith at UFC 160. He later became UFC Middleweight Champion in 2017.
Was UFC 160 Cain's first title defence?
Yes. Velasquez won the HW title for the second time by defeating JDS at UFC 155 in December 2012. UFC 160 was his first defence of that second title reign.
References
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