Calling all Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweights, Junior dos Santos is looking for a fight on Feb. 19. Last week, Stefan Struve went down with a shoulder injury. It was later revealed he had tore his labrum. As a result, he was pulled from his scheduled bout with dos Santos at next month’s UFC Fight Night event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
MMAJunkie.com reached out to “Cigano” to get an update on his status for the event. The former UFC heavyweight champion is still preparing for a fight next month:
“We don’t really know the situation. What the UFC told us is that they’re looking for an opponent, especially because we were the main event in Halifax. So I’m still training and awaiting news.”
The last time dos Santos stepped inside the Octagon was in April 2016. Many were counting him out after his first round knockout loss to Alistair Overeem. “Cigano” proved those skeptics wrong by beating Ben Rothwell from pillar to post for five rounds. Now, Dos Santos is getting agitated with his poor luck finding competition.
“It’s very frustrating, to be honest. It’s tough, because you know how hard it was to find an opponent. I think many things were happening in the division, but we weren’t able to find an opponent. A few of them were injured, others serving suspensions, others with fights booked and others who wouldn’t take the fight – which for me is kind of absurd, but OK. Unfortunately, (Struve) got hurt. I can’t judge things without knowing, and I’ve been in his position before, so I can only wish him a good recovery so he can return as fast as possible. Who knows – maybe in the future we can fight.”
Still, dos Santos is optimistic about 2017.
“I’m absolutely certain that in 2017, I will be able to show even to those who don’t believe my words, I will be able to prove to everyone that what I’m saying is true. I will end this year as heavyweight champion, I have no doubt about that.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VioSxscHAEQ
Calling all Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweights, Junior dos Santos is looking for a fight on Feb. 19. Last week, Stefan Struve went down with a shoulder injury. It was later revealed he had tore his labrum. As a result, he was pulled from his scheduled bout with dos Santos at next month’s UFC Fight Night event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
MMAJunkie.com reached out to “Cigano” to get an update on his status for the event. The former UFC heavyweight champion is still preparing for a fight next month:
“We don’t really know the situation. What the UFC told us is that they’re looking for an opponent, especially because we were the main event in Halifax. So I’m still training and awaiting news.”
The last time dos Santos stepped inside the Octagon was in April 2016. Many were counting him out after his first round knockout loss to Alistair Overeem. “Cigano” proved those skeptics wrong by beating Ben Rothwell from pillar to post for five rounds. Now, Dos Santos is getting agitated with his poor luck finding competition.
“It’s very frustrating, to be honest. It’s tough, because you know how hard it was to find an opponent. I think many things were happening in the division, but we weren’t able to find an opponent. A few of them were injured, others serving suspensions, others with fights booked and others who wouldn’t take the fight – which for me is kind of absurd, but OK. Unfortunately, (Struve) got hurt. I can’t judge things without knowing, and I’ve been in his position before, so I can only wish him a good recovery so he can return as fast as possible. Who knows – maybe in the future we can fight.”
Still, dos Santos is optimistic about 2017.
“I’m absolutely certain that in 2017, I will be able to show even to those who don’t believe my words, I will be able to prove to everyone that what I’m saying is true. I will end this year as heavyweight champion, I have no doubt about that.”
Heavyweight veterans Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos and Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve were scheduled to do battle for a second time in the main event of Feb. 19’s UFC Fight Night 105 from Halifax, Canada, but according to a report from Combate, Struve has been forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury. The UFC
Heavyweight veterans Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos and Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve were scheduled to do battle for a second time in the main event of Feb. 19’s UFC Fight Night 105 from Halifax, Canada, but according to a report from Combate, Struve has been forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injury.
The UFC has yet to confirm the news, but the report has indicated that Struve suffered a shoulder injury. It is unclear whether or not Dos Santos will remain on the card and whether or not the promotion will be able to find a replacement opponent for the Brazilian slugger.
Struve is currently riding a two fight win streak that includes stoppage victories over the likes of Antonio Silva and Daniel Omielanczuk. A win over Dos Santos would’ve skyrocketed the Dutchman towards the top of the heavyweight title picture.
Dos Santos, a former champion, on the other hand, has split wins and losses in his last six bouts. That stretch includes victories over Mark Hunt, reigning champion Stipe Miocic and most recently Ben Rothwell. The losses during that time period have come to former champion Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem.
“Cigano” looked to return to form against Rothwell last April and he’ll likely be looking for a big fight in the wake of Struve’s injury.
Stay tuned to LowKickMMA as more details regarding the situation unfold.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title holder Junior dos Santos will return to action on Feb. 19. “Cigano” will go toe-to-toe with Stefan Struve in a rematch. At UFC 95 back in Feb. 2009, dos Santos earned a TKO finish over Struve. The bout lasted just 54 seconds.
The rematch was almost put on hold when dos Santos offered to step in for Cain Velasquez at UFC 207 to face Fabricio Werdum. UFC president Dana White said “Vai Cavalo” was offered the fight, but he turned it down. “Cigano” had two other fights fall through before settling for “Skyscraper.” One fighter in particular, dos Santos says turned the bout down (via MMAFighting.com):
“I was told that Mark Hunt didn’t turn down the fight, but he had some issues with the UFC, some contract stuff, so the fight didn’t happen. But Alistair (Overeem), yes, he turned it down. It looks like it was offered for him in November and then in December, and he turned it down saying that he didn’t have enough time (to prepare). I think this fight will be hard (to happen again) [laughs]. I think he knows that what happened will never happen again. He was lucky.”
While dos Santos is aiming to be the best heavyweight again, he doesn’t appear to be overlooking Struve. Despite fighting him before, “Cigano” expects a change of pace this go-around.
“When we fought in 2009, that was his first UFC fight, and my second UFC fight. We didn’t have much experience,” he said. “I believe it will be completely different now, even though we have the same line of work. I think it’s going to be a good fight.”
When dos Santos ruled the heavyweight division, he was one of the most feared strikers in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). He thinks he will get back to the top of the mountain.
“I will be the number one in the heavyweight division again. I know the mistakes I’ve done in the past, and I truly believe my skills and what I can do. I’m faster than any other heavyweight in the UFC. With or without USADA, whatever, I’m still the same.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymUiM1GtIhE
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title holder Junior dos Santos will return to action on Feb. 19. “Cigano” will go toe-to-toe with Stefan Struve in a rematch. At UFC 95 back in Feb. 2009, dos Santos earned a TKO finish over Struve. The bout lasted just 54 seconds.
The rematch was almost put on hold when dos Santos offered to step in for Cain Velasquez at UFC 207 to face Fabricio Werdum. UFC president Dana White said “Vai Cavalo” was offered the fight, but he turned it down. “Cigano” had two other fights fall through before settling for “Skyscraper.” One fighter in particular, dos Santos says turned the bout down (via MMAFighting.com):
“I was told that Mark Hunt didn’t turn down the fight, but he had some issues with the UFC, some contract stuff, so the fight didn’t happen. But Alistair (Overeem), yes, he turned it down. It looks like it was offered for him in November and then in December, and he turned it down saying that he didn’t have enough time (to prepare). I think this fight will be hard (to happen again) [laughs]. I think he knows that what happened will never happen again. He was lucky.”
While dos Santos is aiming to be the best heavyweight again, he doesn’t appear to be overlooking Struve. Despite fighting him before, “Cigano” expects a change of pace this go-around.
“When we fought in 2009, that was his first UFC fight, and my second UFC fight. We didn’t have much experience,” he said. “I believe it will be completely different now, even though we have the same line of work. I think it’s going to be a good fight.”
When dos Santos ruled the heavyweight division, he was one of the most feared strikers in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). He thinks he will get back to the top of the mountain.
“I will be the number one in the heavyweight division again. I know the mistakes I’ve done in the past, and I truly believe my skills and what I can do. I’m faster than any other heavyweight in the UFC. With or without USADA, whatever, I’m still the same.”
The UFC has announced several bouts for the upcoming UFC Fight Night 105 event. Those bouts include welterweights Nordine Taleb (12-3) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (23-3) and bantamweights Reginaldo Vieir (13-4) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (6-0). The UFC has also revealed the main event of UFC Fight Night 105, which is former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos
The UFC has announced several bouts for the upcoming UFC Fight Night 105 event. Those bouts include welterweights Nordine Taleb (12-3) vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (23-3) and bantamweights Reginaldo Vieir (13-4) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (6-0).
The UFC has also revealed the main event of UFC Fight Night 105, which is former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos (18-4 MMA) vs. top contender Stefan Struve (28-8 MMA) in a heavyweight bout.
Dos Santos, a 32-year-old Brazilian, has been on a roller coaster ride in his last five bouts as he is 3-2 and is coming off a win over Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 86 by unanimous decision.
Struve, meanwhile, is on a two-fight winning streak as he beat Antonio Silva at UFC Fight Night 87 by first round KO and Daniel Omielanczuk at UFC 204 by second round submission.
UFC Fight Night 105 takes place on February 19th at Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This will be a rare Sunday card that will see the early prelims air on UFC Fight Pass while the rest of the prelims as well as the main card airing on FOX Sports 1. The UFC is expected to announce more bouts for the event in the coming weeks. Here is the updated card for the event:
Stefan Struve teased a big fight announcement and he delivered, as Struve will meet former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 105.
The bout will serve as the …
Stefan Struve teased a big fight announcement and he delivered, as Struve will meet former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 105.
The bout will serve as the main event to the February 19 card that takes place inside the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The main card airs on FOX Sports 1.
Struve (28-8) is coming off back-to-back finishes that have seen his UFC record improve to 12-6 overall. Dos Santos (18-4) has fought 15 times inside the Octagon, winning 12 of them.
The promotion also announced Cezar Ferreira vs. Elias Theodorou, Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Nordine Taleb and Reginaldo Vieir vs. Aiemann Zahabi.
