Junior Dos Santos Wants to Fight - What Are His Options?
Posted on December 31, 2010, 06:29 PM by Ridman96After an exciting UFC 121 event, Cain Velasquez became the 1st Mexican Heavyweight Champion in the UFC dethroning Brock Lesnar in the 1st Round by TKO. Next in line of the title shot was none other than Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos. Cigano has worked hard to get his shot at the UFC gold since his Upset KO of Fabricio Werdum in his UFC Debut, all the way to his most recent victory over TUF 10 Winner Roy "Big Country" Nelson. All this lead up to his matchup for the title against Velasquez.
However, recently, the hopes of this highly promising, entertaining, and hyped up matchup was denied. Many MMA Fans around the world were disappointed to hear that Undefeated (9-0) UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez reported to have a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder, thus likely putting him out of commission for 6-8 months. Their bout was rumoured to be headlined at UFC 129 in Toronto's Rogers Centre but due to the circumstance of the Champ's injury, it seems as though this fight has gone down the drain...for now. So now what? An interim belt? Wait another 6-8 months for the title? Well, one thing is for sure...
"Junior Dos Santos Does NOT Want to Wait"
Interim Anyone? Here they are:
Therefore, we can deduce that this Brazillian machine wants someone else to fight until the champ can heal and return 100%. But which how many heavyweight options do we have?
Frank Mir
"This fight seems to make a lot of sense" is the opinion of many MMA fans as of lately. Junior Dos Santos wants a fight, Frank Mir can give him one. These two are both coming off a win and have both defeated the Croation Legend Mirko Cro Cop. It would be an interesting matchup with Mir's submission skills and Junior Dos Santos' Heavy Hands. But as of late, Mir hasn't had much luck with heavy hitters.
Brock Lesnar
As we recently found out, Brock Lesnar has a phobia for getting punched. Therefore, this matchup may not be the best one. However, it'd make for a great business opportunity for the UFC with Lesnar back in the game. Also, if Lesnar came in getting over his problem with striking, his 1st Division NCAA Wrestling may be a problem for the #1 Contender. But I doubt it.
Cheick Kongo
If all the others on this list fail to be an option for Dos Santos, this is probably a last resort as Kongo would not probably last long against the hard hitting brazillian. It would be insignificant but Junior Dos Santos wants a fight and who better than this UFC Heavyweight Gatekeeper.
Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira
These two are friends, training partners, both from Team Blackhouse. Junior Dos Santos has stated that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is his hero. It is unlikely they'd want to fight each other but like some MMA Fighters, they may decide to put their job infront of their friendship. This would be an interesting match again if it did happen. Minotauro may be able to take it to the ground and we may even be able to see some of Dos Santos' ground game. But then again, I wouldn't want to risk another Rodrigo Nogueira Knockout...
Shane Carwin
Out of all Options on this list, this one is my favourite, and one that I think will be the best decision by the UFC. Junior Dos Santos vs Shane Carwin has "WAR" and "WONT GET OUT OF THE 1st ROUND" written all over it. All 11 of Shane Carwin's Wins have been by KO or TKO while Junior Dos Santos has also finished his share of fighters including Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, & More...This is one fight I know all MMA Fans would like to see. However, the problem is that Shane Carwin is coming off a loss against Former UFC HW Champ Brock Lesnar.
- 1. Frank Mir
- 2. Brock Lesnar
- 3. Cheick Kongo
- 4. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
- 5. Shane Carwin
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FANS POSTS
Comments
He would never fight Nog...I always thought that interm belts r between the number one contender n former champ so Dos Santos vs Lesnar would make sense but I wouldnt mind Dos Santos vs Carwin either
mir. mir is the only one taht is coming off a win. this revenge match shouldnt be a main event though. maybe a fight night main event of ufc on versus but not a ppv main event
i think if brandon schaub beats cro cop give him to dos santos, guarenteed entertaining fight.
i want to see him knock out Congo after a few more cage/shorts grabs so we can finally get him out of the UFC.
DW should sign the Reem and make him fight JDS, now that would be a fight.
That would be nuts.
Reem would finish him in 1 round. I was never a big reem fan, but he has been a wrecking machine of late, and JDS wouldn't be able to handle his power. I want to see Reem vs Fedor, Cain or Carwin. Every other HW I can think of will get destroyed i think.
I love to see him fight Carwin too but, it'd be real interesting if he fought Lesnar! Either way, I'll be happy if it's either one of those guys but, I'll be pissed if it's Mir or Nogueira....
It will test his ground game and will be a revenge match because Mir beat Nogueira
lol ur underestimating kongo, that nigga can bang, i bet him and dos santos would make it rain... my money would be on kongo
you better have a fat bank account cause that aint happening
Honestly, none of these fights make sense to me unless it is NOT for an interim title. Mir is the closest to earning a title shot and I would want to see him beat Lesner or Carwin AND have a fight against the winner of a fight between the other (Carwin or Lesner) and an up and comer before he gets that title shot. Lesner and Carwin are back to the back of the line so even if they beat Mir I would want to see them fight a few more times. Big Nog is in the same three fights to a shot boat and Kongo (my vote because WTFN) is light years from a legit title shot. If all of that sounds convoluted to you it is just be cause the HW division is so shallow. It is in the same shape as it was when Tim Sylvia was champ and that goes for EVERY HW division. You know what? F\/(k it. Bring in Randy.
Lesnar. I'm not a fan of the guy but I'm just interested in seeing him tested against the best HWs. Lesnar is another Kevin Randleman imo. They both have serious weapons (speed + power) but don't utulize them effectively.
Lol, u liked the "Mir hasnt had much luck with heavy hitters" comment I see : )
I still don't get why they are calling Cain the first Mexican heavyweight champion when he's American.Sure he's of Mexican descent but he still wasn't born in Mexico he was born in America.(Ah whatever)If JDS wants to fight I say give him Frank Mir.
Carwin only has 7 ko/tko's. The last 5 wins are submissions.
I shouldn't say his last 5 wins. I mean his other 5 wins are submissions.
no not carwin he is coming off a loss he needs to get at least one win and in a dominating fashion
He just needs to get in the cage again period.
it can't be kongo, just can't, incase he somehow pulled off a fluke and forced them to put together the shittest championship fight ever velasquez vs kongo lol
gotta be mir or carwin which says a lot about the hw division
You never know tho man... Dos Santos does not have the wrestling pedigree that Velasquez possesses.
I think given the circumstances Struve should do it. If there is no one available you have to step up since it's not time to learn once you are in the UFC. UFC means you are ready for anyone if you are in it. Struve is either good enough or he doesn't belong in here so throw him to the Lion since that is why he's here.
Otherwise it's like telling a football team that is ranked lowest in the division they don't have to play the top ranked team yet because they are not ready. Tough luck, you stepped into the league.
he already got ktfo by dos santos. whats the point?
It was 2 years ago and the only other real options are guys with losses.
if schaub beats cro cop give him to dos santos. the timing would be just about right.
And the weak clicker debates this with ''because your wrong''? at least enlighten me.
I hate when people do that. If you weak it at least present an arguement to debate.
the carwin fight would be alot of action and fun. that would exciting for the fans, but from a technical view, carwin needs at least one more win untill hes in the title picture again. but that fight were to happen, i would have to give it to JDS. JDS can pretty much match carwins power and JDS is far more technical.
Sharp but the question is; can JDS keep the fight standing? Also, if Carwin gets JDS down, how good is JDS's BJJ?
i think the only way carwin would shoot is out of desperation. or maybe im wrong. theres only one way we would know for sure(;
Carwin is a heavy hitter and has punchers chance but i recall him not being very technical and his jawline isn't that hard to hit.
JDS by KO
JDS is a true warrior. Willing to risk a title shot so he can do what he loves to do. I respect that. hope he fights Mir. That fight only makes sense to me, unless somehow Mr. White can sign the Reem.
Give him Heath Herring. He still has a few fights under contract. And can take a punch.