Anderson dos Santos wants a quick return after his submission win over Martin Day,
Some say it is better to strike while the iron is hot.
After scoring a first-round submission win over Martin Day on Saturday, bantamweight Anderson dos Santos would like to remain active and fight again as soon as possible. In fact, ‘Berinja’ even knows who he would like to take on and when, if possible.
In an interview with Combate, dos Santos explained how he wants to make up for the time he lost in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the hiatus, the Brazilian is in urgent need of making some money and urges to get back in the Octagon no later than January.
“I want to fight next week, next month, I’m ready to make up for the time I’ve lost. Financially, it’s awful to go one year and a half without a fight, I want to fight again in January, tops. If Dana White gives me the opportunity, I’d like to fight on Fight Island, the same card as Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier.”
Although dos Santos said he is not one to pick opponents and is happy to fight anyone the UFC puts in front of him, he admitted he does have a dream of facing one of the division’s most notable names: former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar. Should the UFC give him a chance to face the ‘Answer’ any time in the future, it would be a milestone in the career of Berinja.
“I don’t pick names. I’m trained on the ground and to trade shots on the feet. I’m ready for anyone the UFC wants to give me. It can be Jack Shore, Urijah Faber. I’m not calling him out right now, I’ve just got here, this is my first win, but it’s a dream of mine to, at some point in my career, face Frankie Edgar. It would be an honor.”
After starting out his UFC career on a two-fight skid, with unanimous decision losses to both Nad Narimani and Andre Ewell, dos Santos (21-8) finally had his arm raised last Saturday. Against Martin Day, the 35-year-old scored a slick guillotine choke win at the 4:35 mark of the first round. Overall, that was Berinja’s 12th submission victory of his professional career.