Miocic to show Dos he’s boss
STIPE MIOCIC will be on a revenge mission when he makes the third defence of his heavyweight title against Junior Dos Santos in Texas next month.
The pair headline UFC 211 in Dallas on May 13, and Miocic is determined that there will be no repeat of their first meeting.
Brazilian Dos Santos won via a unanimous decision in December 2014 to end a three-fight winning streak for Miocic.
The American bounced back with two wins that led to his successful title challenge against Fabricio Werdum last May and is promising to turn the tables on Dos Santos.
Miocic, 34, said: “I’ve got something to prove against him. I had never gone five rounds before that fight and I wasn’t ready for it.
“But after going five rounds with him I was good. I knew I could hang with anyone after that.
Knockout
“It won’t be like last time. I’m motivated by that loss and I don’t want it to happen again. He hits super hard.
“He has knockout power. You have to be smart. I hit way harder than I did when we last met and he’s in for a surprise – big time.”
Dos Santos, 33, begs to differ and said: “I’m coming to take that belt from Miocic.
“I’m a more mature fighter these days. I’m facing the man I believe is the best heavyweight right now and I’m very excited about that because I like big challenges like this one.”
Dos Santos lifted the heavyweight title in November 2011, knocking out Cain Velasquez in 64 seconds.
But after one successful defence against Frank Mir, he lost it to Velasquez before a failed challenge against the champ in October 2013.
He added: “I knew I could get another chance to fight for the title.
“All the guys in the division know I’m the real deal here.
“I’m not playing here. I have enough skills to be the No.1 again.”