According to Fightersonlymag, undisputed UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos intends to KO Alistair Overeem when the pair lock horns at UFC 146.
“The preparation has already begun. I have been training hard for the fight and feeling very well. Now it is the moment to become strong to stand the heavy workout and get 100 per cent ready to the fight,” he said.
“I think is the biggest test for my striking. It was not by chance that he [Overeem] was the champion in K-1, that is the greatest striking event in the world. He is a very strong guy but I rely on myself and I look for the knockout in all the fights; I come in to perform. Regardless of if he is good on the feet or not, I will go to knock him out.
“Jiu-jitsu is Plan B. I am a mixed martial artist, I train everything and I am well prepared to fight standing or on the ground. If I think it is necessary to take the bout to the mat, this is going to happen.”
“Cigano” Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) won the heavyweight crown in November of 2011 by dispatching Cain Velasquez in the opening stanza of their main event clash at the inaugural UFC on FOX show.
However, Cigano also sustained a knee injury during that fight.
Following successful surgery, it looks like the heavy-hitting Brazilian native Brazil is nearly back to his fighting best.
Meanwhile, Overeem (36-11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), a former Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight champion and fellow behemoth, rose to the rank of No. 1 contender after brutally dismantling former MMA fighter Brock Lesnar in a title elimination bout at UFC 141—a contest which was also his debut for the Zuffa-based promotional outfit.
When these two giants of mixed martial arts collide at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas on May 26, Dos Santos will attempt to make a first successful defense of his title, while Overeem will be looking to capture UFC gold in only his second outing for the company.
For additional information, follow Nedu Obi on Twitter.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com