‘Cyborg’ Santos expects ‘violent’ rematch with Melvin Manhoef in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO — Evangelista Santos wants revenge.

Eight years after an epic war with Melvin Manhoef at Cage Rage 15, “Cyborg” will finally enter a cage against “No Mercy”, as they headline Gringo Super Fight 10 card in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday night, for the vacant welterweight title.

“I’ve been dreaming with this fight since the first one ended,” Santos told MMAFighting.com. “I worked a lot for this rematch and I’m really motivated. I’m sure that this fight will be more important and more violent than the first one.”

“I asked for this rematch for a long time,” he continued. “I tried to fight him at Strikeforce, when we were both there, but it didn’t happen. Thanks God it’s happening now and is happening in Brazil, so I will be more motivated with the support of my people.”

The first fight took place in the light heavyweight division, and the Brazilian feels he has an advantage now that the second clash will be at the 170-pound weight class.

“I worked more on my cardio this time, and I’m sure I will be better this time,” he said. “I will go for the finish as soon as the fight starts, and I’m sure that the opportunity will eventually come. I’m a striker. Sometimes you plan something but gets too excited during the fight. He’s a fantastic striker. We will start the fight standing, and we’ll go from there.”

“Cyborg” wants to avenge the first loss with a finish, and he’s not considering the possibility of losing one more time.

“All I want is the win, no matter what,” he said. “The only way I’ll lose this fight is dying.

“He’s one of the toughest guys I ever fought. I fought guys like Shogun (Rua), (Gegard) Mousasi, (Yuki) Kondo and many others, and I love big challenges. That’s what motivates to continue fighting.”

RIO DE JANEIRO — Evangelista Santos wants revenge.

Eight years after an epic war with Melvin Manhoef at Cage Rage 15, “Cyborg” will finally enter a cage against “No Mercy”, as they headline Gringo Super Fight 10 card in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday night, for the vacant welterweight title.

“I’ve been dreaming with this fight since the first one ended,” Santos told MMAFighting.com. “I worked a lot for this rematch and I’m really motivated. I’m sure that this fight will be more important and more violent than the first one.”

“I asked for this rematch for a long time,” he continued. “I tried to fight him at Strikeforce, when we were both there, but it didn’t happen. Thanks God it’s happening now and is happening in Brazil, so I will be more motivated with the support of my people.”

The first fight took place in the light heavyweight division, and the Brazilian feels he has an advantage now that the second clash will be at the 170-pound weight class.

“I worked more on my cardio this time, and I’m sure I will be better this time,” he said. “I will go for the finish as soon as the fight starts, and I’m sure that the opportunity will eventually come. I’m a striker. Sometimes you plan something but gets too excited during the fight. He’s a fantastic striker. We will start the fight standing, and we’ll go from there.”

“Cyborg” wants to avenge the first loss with a finish, and he’s not considering the possibility of losing one more time.

“All I want is the win, no matter what,” he said. “The only way I’ll lose this fight is dying.

“He’s one of the toughest guys I ever fought. I fought guys like Shogun (Rua), (Gegard) Mousasi, (Yuki) Kondo and many others, and I love big challenges. That’s what motivates to continue fighting.”