(“Oof…right in the diverticulitis!”)
Most fans and pundits who watched Friday night’s UFC 141 main event between former UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar and Octagon newcomer Alistair Overeem were amazed that Brock didn’t utilize his superior wrestling to stifle the offensive attack of “The Demolition Man.”
Junior dos Santos had a brief exchange in the cage with Lesnar following his crushing defeat at the hands (and legs) of Overeem, and according to the UFC heavyweight kingpin, his newly-retired peer was rattled by the sheer power of the former DREAM, K-1 and Strikeforce champion’s kicks and knees and simply couldn’t get back on track after absorbing such an immense amount damage.
“I thought Brock would move forwards. I hoped more of him. But he told me in the Octagon he felt the knees and kicks of Overeem and that he thought he broke his rib. I saw it and it was really red,” JDS told Tatame following the event. “He told me the last couple [kicks] destabilized him. And then he wished me good luck on this title defense and that was it.”
As for his eventual meeting with “The Reem,” dos Santos doesn’t see it going the same way as Overeem’s Octagon debut and says he isn’t afraid of Alistair’s K-1-level striking.
“Each fight is different and you gotta be prepared for your next opponent the best way you can. I got to the title with much effort and I’ll do my best to remain as the champion,” he says. “Overeem is a very strong fighter, but there’s no easy fight when you’re fighting a title fight. He’s big, but he ain’t two”, concluded.