Junior dos Santos is taking some time off after a devastating loss to Cain Velasquez at UFC 166, and his next bout could be against a top ranked opponent.
Dos Santos, who suffered the first TKO loss of his MMA career last October in Houston, Texas, told Lance he expects to face off against Josh Barnett or Travis Browne, who are set to collide on Dec. 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at UFC 168.
“I believe it would (make sense to fight Barnett or Browne next),” dos Santos said. “The heavyweight division is in a great moment right now. We have great fighters, and you never know what’s going to happen in a heavyweight fight. One punch can change everything.”
Barnett returned to the UFC after 11 years with a first-round TKO win over Frank Mir, and Browne won “Knockout of the Night” bonus in his last couple victories inside the cage, when he stopped Alistair Overeem and Gabriel Gonzaga.
“I don’t know what’s next for me, and I don’t choose opponents,” dos Santos said. “I’ll be ready for anyone, but I believe my next opponent can be either Josh Barnett or Travis Bowne.”