Cain Velasquez says he will fight Werdum-Hunt winner back in Mexico

MEXICO CITY -- Cain Velasquez's next fight will still be in Mexico.

The UFC heavyweight champion said at UFC 180 media day Thursday here that the current plan is to have him take on the winner of Saturday night's bout between Fabricio Werdum and Mark Hunt in Mexico when Velasquez is ready to return from a knee injury.

"They want me back," Velasquez said. "My return will be back here."

Velasquez (13-1) was originally on this card against Werdum at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, but had to pull out two weeks ago due to injuries to his MCL and meniscus. The Mexican American champ is still here this week, doing media and supporting the fighters he coached on Ultimate Fighter Latin America.

"It's kind of a bittersweet feeling," Velasquez said. "I want to be here for the guys I helped out on the show. I want to see them succeed. But again, me not being part of it, I always pictured them being here and me being part of it also."

Instead, Werdum will meet Hunt for the interim title on Saturday. Hunt took the fight on short notice and has been in Mexico City for two weeks attempting to get acclimated to the elevation. Werdum has been in the country for two months with his team.

Velasquez said there is no official timetable for his return, but most reports have approximated sometime in the first half of 2015 The 32-year-old bristled when asked if it would be weird seeing another heavyweight wearing the gold belt.

"Interim belt," Velasquez said. "Interim champion. Not the champion."

This was really supposed to be Velasquez's show. The UFC waited to debut in Mexico until Velasquez was able to come back from shoulder surgery. The American Kickboxing Academy product has not fought since UFC 166 in October 2013, a win over Junior dos Santos. The organization built TUF Latin America around the coaches, Velasquez and Werdum, both of whom are fluent in Spanish.

Velasquez might also have some more bad news coming his way. UFC president Dana White told UFC.com on Thursday that if he is not able to come back soon, he will be stripped of the heavyweight title and either Werdum or Hunt would lose the interim label.

“We’re headed in that direction now,” White said. “This next fight in Mexico is for the interim title. So if Cain couldn’t compete again, the winner of this fight would be seen as the champion.”

Velasquez is trying to stay upbeat. He walked in on crutches Thursday, but answered questions -- in English and Spanish -- for 20 minutes.

"It is frustrating, because I want to be active, be fighting, but what can you do?" Velasquez said.

Velasquez has just one loss on his record, to dos Santos in November 2011. He came into that fight with a knee injury and vowed not to do the same thing again. Injuries have been a recurring problem for him throughout his excellent career. But he's attempting to remain positive. There is another long road for him toward a return.

"I'm very disappointed in general," Velasquez said. "It's again one of my dreams to fight here. Not being able to do it, it sucks."