The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Junior dos Santos looking to regain UFC heavyweight title
There was a day when Junior dos Santos knew what it felt to show off the gold belt.
From June 11, 2011 to Dec. 29, 2012, the fighter nicknamed “Cigano” reigned as the UFC heavyweight champion.
He won the belt from Shane Carwin with a threeround unanimous decision, then defended the belt twice with wins against Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir.
A rematch with Velasquez in December 2012 resulted in a dos Santos loss. The following year, dos Santos got another match with the champ, but lost. Since then, he’s been pushing hard to climb up the UFC heavyweight mountain.
At the top with that belt, though, is Cleveland’s Stipe Miocic.
The two will fight May 13 for the heavyweight belt in the main event at UFC 211 in Dallas.
It’s been four years since dos Santos had a bout with gold on the line. For dos Santos, he badly wants those glory days again.
“I miss the feeling of being the baddest man on the planet and being the No. 1 man in the division,” said dos Santos in a recent teleconference. “I miss the enjoyment. We all work for that, and when we reach that point it’s amazing.”
The No. 1 contender dispelled any notion his title bout with Miocic is his last best shot at reclaiming the crown of being the heavyweight champ.
“Oh my gosh, of course not,” said dos Santos, a native of Santa Catarina, Brazil. “I’m just 33 years old, and I’m fighting against the top guys. It’s just the beginning. I have no doubts I’m going to become the champion.”
With the punching power dos Santos possesses, he’s never out of a bout. That’s what he’s been known for since he joined the UFC, and dos Santos isn’t shy about reminding anyone who asks about that ability.
“I’m the guy who brought boxing skills to (mixed martial arts),” said dos Santos on “UFC 211 Countdown.” “To this day, I hit very well.” That was on display the last time dos Santos and Miocic fought on Dec. 13, 2014. It was dos Santos’ first bout since he lost the belt to Velasquez. Miocic was still an up-and-coming challenger.
Miocic took it to dos Santos for the first two rounds, but fatigue became an issue for Miocic. It was enough for dos Santos to take over the latter rounds, and win a unanimous five-round decision.
“That was the toughest fight of my career,” said dos Santos. “No doubts.”
Meanwhile, the challenger has fought just five times since losing the belt in late 2012. He’s 3-2 in that span. One of those losses came Dec. 19, 2015 at the hands of Alistair Overeem, who lost to Miocic last September at Quicken Loans Arena.
More important for dos Santos is the memory of his win over Miocic. It will be a source he draws from as he looks to become a two-time heavyweight champion.
“I know how to win this fight,” said dos Santos.