Hey, remember last year when Junior dos Santos was like, “Guys, I will be fighting for the title again in 2019” and everyone was like “LOL” … well, “Cigano” maybe be one violent knockout away from the next crack at the crown.
All he needs to do is get past Francis Ngannou.
Their titanic tilt is scheduled for the UFC 239 pay-per-view (PPV) event, taking place on Sat., July 6, 2019 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, part of a stacked mixed martial arts (MMA) line up that wraps up International Fight Week.
“People forgot because I’m known for my knockout power too,” Dos Santos told The Schmo. “I have the speed, I have the ability, I have the power to win this fight and I will win this fight. Everybody’s talking about his power, about how big he is, but I’m gonna make him look like a fragile little kid.”
Ngannou (13-3), who recently set a power record at the UFC Performance Institute, has ended all 13 wins by way of knockout or submission, including last February’s finish over former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
“He’s dangerous, but everybody’s dangerous in this division, everybody has power,” Dos Santos continued. “Man, I’m Junior dos Santos, I believe in myself, I will beat this guy. I don’t take people down. He’s saying that he’s a boxing guy, I see a lot of power but I don’t see a lot of good technique of boxing. Junior dos Santos can knock anyone out.”
Dos Santos (21-5) has experienced something of a career resurgence, winning three straight fights and stopping his last two opponents. “Cigano,” who hasn’t worn the strap since late 2012, is currently ranked No. 3 in the division, one spot behind Ngannou.
All aboard the Dos Santos hype train! Who’s coming along for the ride?