Junior dos Santos talks about his will to fight more frequently from now on and how a win over Ben Rothwell on April 10 could put him back in title contention in the heavyweight division.
Junior dos Santos is anxious to get back in the Octagon.
After a disappointing KO loss to Alistair Overeem last December, the former UFC heavyweight champion revealed to Portal do Vale Tudo that he wanted a quick return to erase his last performance.
“After my last fight, I told Joe Silva I wanted to fight again soon and I was glad they were able to get me a fight quickly. I think it’s important to fight more frequently so I can stay active. Rothwell is a very hard opponent, who is on a good win streak and has been imposing himself. He showed he can be very effective, especially in his last fight, when he submitted Josh Barnett, which was kind of unexpected.”
As far as Dos Santos is concerned, a win over his next opponent, Ben Rothwell, puts him right back in title contention.
“I think a win over him will put me back on the top of the weight class, maybe even close to a title shot. But honestly, I’m not thinking about the belt now. All I want to do is fight as frequently as possible.”
Speaking of this newfound will to fight, Dos Santos revealed that he wishes to fight at least two more times this year, after the Rothwell bout.
“If everything goes according to my plan, I want to have this fight in April, then another one in August or September and then again in December. Three fights in one year is a good number.”
JDS is expected to take on Ben Rothwell on the main event of UFC Fight Night 86, which goes down on April 10, in Zagreb, Croatia, making this the UFC’s first show in the country.