When Junior dos Santos received word that he would headline a UFC heavyweight title fight alongside Cain Velasquez on UFC on FOX, the Brazilian felt ecstatic and proud.
Upon learning the news, dos Santos said the title bout not only earns him the recognition of being featured prominently in a main event, but more importantly, it earns the UFC more recognition as a company on a larger scale.
“It’s a huge moment in my professional career, and it’s a huge moment for the UFC and for the sport of MMA,” dos Santos told Heavy.com.
“Having the heavyweight title championship live on Fox is a tremendous opportunity for the growth of MMA, the growth of the UFC, and it opens up a lot of big opportunities for us, the athletes.”
The bout was originally scheduled to headline UFC 139, but dos Santos said the slight change of the event will not impact his training camp.
Velasquez has been out recovering from a torn labrum, which he suffered in his title bout against Brock Lesnar at UFC 121. Despite the long layoff, dos Santos expects Velasquez to come prepared and healthy.
“Cain is a tremendous athlete, and a great fighter. I doubt he’s been twiddling his thumbs the whole past year,” he said.
“He’s a professional fighter with a huge opportunity in front of him, just like me. I have no doubt he will be giving his best, as I will be giving my best.”
And as he prepares to walk into Anaheim, dos Santos’ intention is to walk out as the new UFC heavyweight champion.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com