Interview with Adela Diaz (Cain's Sister)
A Sister’s Perspective on Cain
Adela, thank you for taking the time to speak with us about your brother, Cain.
To start, what was Cain like growing up? Was he a protector, a troublemaker, quiet, funny?
Cain was always very quiet and calm — but he was also very active. He liked to stay busy.
One story that really shows who he was as a kid happened when he went somewhere with our dad in the truck. When they came home, my dad went inside — but Cain stayed in the truck.
My mom told me, “Go check on your little brother. He’s being too quiet.”
When I went out there, he was still just sitting in the truck. My mom followed me and tried to get him out, but he wouldn’t move. He didn’t say a word.
That’s when we noticed he had a coffee cup between his legs — and his finger was stuck in the sip opening of the lid.
This wasn’t a disposable cup. It was a hard plastic one where the top twisted open and closed.
His finger had swollen during the drive, and my mom couldn’t get it out. He was embarrassed and wouldn’t even explain what happened.
Eventually, my dad grabbed a hammer and carefully broke the lid to free his finger.
That was Cain — quiet, calm, and getting into his own little situations, not from being a bad kid, but just being himself.
The Side of Cain People Don’t See
Fans see Cain as intense and focused — a warrior. But what was he like at home?
He’s always kept his feelings to himself. He doesn’t really express stress, concerns, or struggles. Even when he’s happy, he doesn’t show it much.
That’s always been his way — internalizing things.
When Did You First Realize He Was Special?
I went to all his games growing up — football, wrestling, everything.
But the moment I realized he was different was during a wrestling match when he was at Arizona State.
He wasn’t just beating his opponent — he was playing with him. Throwing him around, scoring points, showing new techniques… putting on a show.
That’s when I thought:
“Wow… he’s on another level!”
Watching His UFC Career
Did you ever go to his MMA fights or watch them live?
No — I couldn’t.
I’ve never watched one of his fights live. I had to wait until after the result. If he lost, I didn’t want to watch it.
Becoming UFC Heavyweight Champion
Did you believe he could become champion?
Yes. I always knew he would get there.
But the fight that made me the proudest was his fight with Brock Lesnar.
Everything Brock was saying leading up to the fight made me so angry. I remember thinking:
“Cain, please… beat him. Do it for your people.”
And Cain stayed calm and said:
“I know what I need to do.”
And he did.
Your Role in Cain’s Life
During hard times, how did Cain show up for you?
Honestly — I was usually the one showing up for him.
Our mom worked a lot, and our dad was often out of town, so as the oldest, I took on a caregiving role early.
By third grade, I was cooking, cleaning, and helping raise my brothers.
Even later in life, when Cain would visit during college breaks, I made sure he had:
- A clean room
- Food
- Gas money
- Support
I’ve always been there for him.
He’s not someone who expresses gratitude easily. He’s had a hard time apologizing or acknowledging things — but I think he’s growing in that way now.
Something People Might Not Know About Cain
Is there anything surprising about him? Does he have any weird habits or big fears? Like being afraid of spiders… LOL?
Nothing dramatic — no. He’s just always been very private and internal.
Family Dynamics & First Impressions
When Adela first met Cain’s partner, Michelle, she admits there was tension from the beginning.
She explains that coming from a tight-knit Hispanic family culture rooted in respect, she expected a certain tone when meeting family for the first time.
Instead, she felt there was distance and discomfort that never fully resolved — though she notes today that they remain cordial.
Military Service & Life Today
Adela’s husband, Kevin, served 10 years in the Marine Corps, working in transportation and supporting artillery units. That work caused them to eventually leave Arizona and move across the country to Virginia where they live to this day. Adela says that she loves it there and her husband works supporting naval combat systems testing — continuing his service in a civilian role. Kevin related a story to us about him and the family going to AKA. Kevin was doing a little training himself at the time. He noted that he was gonna do some light sparring with Cain, and before he knew it, Cain had his back and was applying a rear-naked choke. You can see some footage from that day on “Cain Velasquez Video Blog #2” on YouTube.
Their Father’s Pride
How did their father, Efrain, feel about Cain fighting?
He loved it.
He would watch Cain’s fights over and over for weeks.
Wherever they went, he proudly told people:
“That’s my son.”
Despite a difficult upbringing of his own, Cain’s success brought him immense pride. He became something of a celebrity himself. A lot of fans recognized him from some of the videos that the UFC had made to promote Cain’s fights. He was always very gracious, and I think he really enjoyed the attention. Efrain is very health-conscious himself. He does not like going to the doctor, so he is particular about taking good care of himself. He does not smoke or drink, and he takes natural supplements and eats beans and tortillas every day.
Final Thoughts
Adela’s perspective reminds us that behind the champion is a quiet boy who kept his struggles to himself… and a family who stood beside him long before the spotlight arrived.
We also want to thank Adela and her husband, Kevin, for sharing their memories, stories, and photos about Cain.