UFC on FOX 13: Cigano returns after 14 months on the card with three more Brazilians

Cigano (left) and Miocic (right), his opponent when he returns to the Octagon. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

When you step into the Octagon this Saturday night (13), in Phoenix (USA), Junior Gypsy will be returning to active duty after the longest time away in his entire career. The Santa Catarina native's last time in the ring was in October last year, when he was knocked out by Cain Velazquez at the end of the trilogy for the heavyweight belt. After dealing with injuries throughout 2014, Cigano will make his return against Stipe Miocic, in the main fight of UFC on FOX 13.

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Junior dos Santos' return could not happen in a better style. The card headlined by the Brazilian and Miocic is full of heavyweights. On the night's main card, in addition to the main fight, duels between alistair overeem e Stefan struve, and Matt Mitrione and Gabriel Napao.

Although Cigano is a jiu-jitsu black belt and Miocic has a good wrestling background, the biggest expectation for the duel is the clash of boxing styles. While the Brazilian works with a lot of pressure and powerful blows, the North American of Croatian descent comes from the school of amateur boxing and has a game with a lot of movement.

Currently ranked second in the heavyweight category, Cigano is seen by many as an athlete who is always one or two wins away from challenging for the belt again. For this reason, for both him and Miocic, the duel is treated as a possible eliminator for the position of next title challenger, after the unification between Cain Velazquez e Fabricio Werdum.

With an eye on the belt, dos Anjos faces Diaz

Rafael (left) and N. Diaz (right) had a strange look after the weigh-in. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

PUBLICITY:

With seven wins in his last eight fights, the Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos He's never been so close to a title fight. With Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov, favorite to be number one contender, out of action, Rafael knows that a victory against Nate diaz, in the co-main fight of the night, can get his passport stamped towards a duel against Anthony Pettis.

A specialist in jiu-jitsu, Rafael has diversified his game in recent performances and shown great progress in the stand-up section. The Rio native's two most recent victories were by technical knockout, against Jason High and the former champion Ben henderson. Currently third in the official rankings, dos Anjos will face a black belt in Cesar Gracie whose boxing was developed by trainer Richard Perez.

Check out the full UFC on FOX 13 schedule below:

Location: US Airway Center, Phoenix, Arizona (USA).

Open Hours: From 20pm (Brasília time)

Streaming: Combat Channel

MAIN CARD

Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): junior gypsy x Stipe Miocic;

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Rafael dos Anjos x Nate diaz;

Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): alistair overeem x Stefan struve;

Heavy weight (up to 120 kg): Gabriel Napao x Matt Mitrione.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Flyweight (up to 57 kg): John Moraga x Willie Gates;

Straw weight (up to 52 kg): Claudia gadelha x Joanna Jedrzejczyk;

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Joe Riggs x Ben Saunders;

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Jamie Varner x Drew dober;

Average weight (up to 84,3 kg): Derek Brunson x Ed Herman;

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Bryan Barbarena x Joe Ellenberger;

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): David Michaud x Garrett Whiteley;

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Henry Cejudo x Dustin Kimura;

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Anthony Birchak x Ian Entwistle.