Following a second unsuccessful challenge of UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez‘ crown, Junior dos Santos may have revealed some unsettling news regarding the sort of damage he absorbed for five rounds. According to areport via Combate, ‘Cigano’ was said to have thought he was actually knocked out sometime during the second round. Dos Santos, of course, was stopped after a failed submission attempt resulted in his head striking the Octagon mat 3:09 into the fifth and final round in the main event at UFC 166.
The report also claims dos Santos couldn’t recall being interviewed by UFC commentator Joe Rogan following the bout and that his team believed he fought rounds three through five ‘on autopilot.’
“I’m feeling good. I came to the hospital to have some stitches in the cut I had. The pain is only in the heart, because I didn’t manage to give a good performance in the Octagon,” he said in a message relayed via Combate.com
“Now it’s time to go back to the gym and train, dedicate myself to come back stronger than ever and, who knows, some day dispute the championship again and be able to honor the support from everybody who believed in me.”
Dos Santos received standard post-fight medical treatment on-scene at Houston’s Toyota Center before being sent to a hospital to undergo more thorough cranial and brain scans. Following the event, UFC president Dana White remarked that he believed dos Santos suffered unnecessary damage in a fight that should have been stopped much sooner. “I just don’t think he needed to take any more punishment,” said White. “I always like to say that if anybody in his f**king corner cares about him, please, throw in that towel.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
DC vs. Gus? AKA head trainer Javi Mendez says a victory over Alexander Gustafsson makes Daniel Cormier the top contender at light heavyweight. “I’m 100-percent sure that it’s going to be a hell of a fight and it’s going to be the biggest challenge of [Jones’] life. That I’m 100-percent sure of.”
Signal to Noise. Luke Thomas dolls out his post-fight awards for all that was at UFC 166. “UFC 166 was the event where you experience the meta moment of understanding why you’re there and why you’re watching. You aren’t merely entranced by what you’re seeing. The ritualization of the experience is part of who you are, be you fan, media, fighter or other participant. You’re there not because you wouldn’t be anywhere else, but because you couldn’t possibly imagine anywhere else to be.”
Unintentional harm. Rousimar Palhares tells Ariel Helwani he never meant to harm Mike Pierce, but admits he should have released his submission sooner. “I did not want to hurt him,” Palhares said through his manager/interpreter, Alex Davis. “In the heat of the fight, I didn’t feel him tap. Afterwards, when I watched the fight, I’d realized that I’d held on too long. But I really didn’t mean to hurt him, you know? He’s a fighter like I am, and I know that he does this for a living, and I’d never want to hurt him.”
The heavyweight division returns to ‘meh.’ Chuck Mindenhall explains that while it’s great to see a champion stand out, the rest of the division is still looking for a spark. “The truth of the matter is, there’s Fabricio Werdum, who has exercised the patience of a yogi waiting for his title shot…then there’s the sea of distant thirds. You can literally roll up your pant legs and wade right across.”
Fitch would take Cain over Cormier. Insisting Cormier isn’t a true heavyweight, Jon Fitch says he’d put his money on Velasquez if the two ever got in the Octagon. “Just based on size, you have two guys who are equally skilled, equal work ethic, equal punching power, equal everything, you’re going to put your money on the guy who weighs more.”
MEDIA STEW
Lyoto Machida reflects on his career.
UFC 166 edition of the Gracie Breakdown.
Bellator 104 review.
Presser highlights.
Norman Parke training vlog.
The boys return from Abu Dhabi.
Super Fight League 30.
TWEETS
It’s happening.
BREAKING Chael and Wandy set to coach #TUFBrasil3 http://t.co/Rq1b9ukzdW
— UFC (@ufc) October 22, 2013
Healing up.
2 days after the fight bumps, bruises and a few stitches #wellworthit http://t.co/OwciZ2j9rD
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) October 21, 2013
It’s a wonderful sport that I love so much! When we have great battles against great athletes, what… http://t.co/9G29tCM0Gj
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) October 21, 2013
On second thought…
@roynelsonmma thanks for the scrap bro. You are a warrior. Good luck in the future. You’re a stud Nelson. DC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 21, 2013
Diego’s blessing.
@GilbertMelendez it was fun going to war, you have pettis and Josh’s number get the belt I’ll be climbing the rankings WW2 will happen 5rds
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) October 21, 2013
Middleweight problems.
Sweating it out!!Suando um pouco!! http://t.co/1wRTPfDkku
— Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) October 21, 2013
Michael Chandler got asked a lot of UFC questions.
.@KyleP1776 @MikeChandlerMMA Sanchez is a nut and Cain cant be beat if he doesnt get KO’d
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 21, 2013
.@MrBackWoods @MikeChandlerMMA I only want to fight one person right now…. Eddie Alvarez.
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 21, 2013
Not too Hippo-esque right now.
First day of training at @PhuketTopTeam and an SPMA student is in class doing mma ground sparring with me 🙂 pic.twitter.com/vdEAn5oX0o
— Anthony Perosh (@AnthonyPerosh) October 21, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 21 2013)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Florence Romeo.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Diego Sanchez was not a Great MMA Fight
Gilbert Melendez and Diego Sanchez fought a three-round instant classic at UFC 166 this past weekend.
In a fight that produced two knockdowns, countless flurries and copious amounts of blood, both men displayed indelible heart and courage.
Just to watch was to witness something special.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan called the fight the “new greatest fight of all-time” during the pay-per-view broadcast.
UFC President Dana White, a well-known talkative character, was nearly left speechless at the UFC post-fight press conference, calling it “the fight of the friggin’ I don’t know what.”
The MMA community exploded with youthful exuberance, smattering Twitter, Facebook and forums with every imaginable metaphor and hyperbole.
…
Check out the rest of the post here.
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