Junior dos Santos crushed Frank Mir at UFC 146. Only one logical question remains. Who’s next?
The answer to that question is undoubtedly important because in the last five years the heavyweight title has bounced around more than, well, nevermind.
Whoever steps up to take on dos Santos next will, at least from a recent historical perspective, have a good chance at taking his belt.
So, let’s take a look at the fighters who stand to potentially be Cigano’s next opponent.
Alistair Overeem
The big man’s future is completely up in the air after failing a random drug test and being pulled from UFC 146.
If he does manage to save his reputation and get another shot at the big time, however, Overeem would be the perfect opponent for JDS.
At 6’5″, 263 pounds, he enters the octagon with one thing on his mind: knocking opponents’ heads off. And with seven of his 10 wins coming by knockout, he does a pretty good job at accomplishing that.
Additionally, Overeem won’t try to go the ground like Frank Mir did. He’ll just stay upright and try to punish dos Santos with punches and kicks while dos Santos will come back with an array of his own powerful punches.
Fabricio Werdum
Werdum lost to Overeem in June of 2011 and he also lost to dos Santos back in 2008, but he’s ready for a rematch after beating Roy Nelson in the Fight of the Night at UFC 143.
Of course, Nelson just scored an impressive knockout against Dave Herman, so that win looks even better for Werdum.
Most importantly, he’s Brazilian. Putting him up against fellow Brazilian Junior dos Santos at the next Brazil event makes a lot of sense.
Cain Velasquez
Is there really any question that Velasquez deserves the rematch? The big American lost to JDS at UFC on FOX back in November of 2011, but after UFC 146, he’s easily the No. 1 contender.
(WARNING: the following video contains lots of blood)
Velasquez absolutely tore apart Antonio Silva during Saturday’s co-main event.
Not only is Velasquez the most deserving, he and dos Santos combine for what would be the most exciting show.
Make it happen, Dana White.
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