The main thing I'm interested in with Cain is what he did to develop his athleticism, because in that regard I think he was very successful even if he looked like a tub of lard.
That said, I think competitive experience can get over rated. In terms of Cain though I think in general he's probably more likely to get over rated than under rated because of his status as former UFC heavyweight champion and pound for pound top 10.
This guy asked the top 10 tennis player's to describe what they did when they hit a top spin forehand. Not only did they not say the text book technique. They didn't describe what they actually did themselves.
From the article - "Just because a player excels at striking the ball does not mean they know how that strike took place"
Adrenaline is a big thing, so is the subconscious.
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/29/sports/playmagazine/vic-bradens-mental-mojo-experience.html
http://www.tennisviewmag.com/tennis-view-magazine/article/myths-tennis-forehand-contact-point