Velasquez recovering from shoulder surgery (photo via Instagram)

By FCF Staff

After it was initially reported that Cain Velasquez may not require surgery on his injured shoulder, the UFC Heavyweight Champion underwent the procedure Tuesday and is reportedly recovering well.

The 31 year-old fighter, who is coming off a stoppage win over Junior dos Santos in October, had a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Velasquez posted the following statement via his Instagram account:

My shoulder surgery yesterday went well. Can’t wait to be back at it!

Due to the procedure, Velasquez will be sidelined for a few months and probably won’t be able to fight again until later in 2014. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter is expected to fight Fabricio Werdum in his next title defense.

Velasquez (13-1) also had his right shoulder surgically repaired after he defeated Brock Lesnar in 2010.