Cigano will face champion Miocic at UFC 211. (Photo: Jeff Bottari/UFC)
Former UFC heavyweight champion, Junior Gypsy dos Santos can't wait to get back to number 1 in the category. He will have the chance to regain the belt at UFC 211, on May 13, in Dallas (USA), when he will face Stipe Miocic, current holder of the strap. For the Brazilian, it is not only the heavyweight title that is at stake, but also the status of 'most feared man in the world'.
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“It’s incredible to have the belt, to be the baddest man on the planet. It's not for everyone. Everyone wants to be, but how many of these guys are going to get to this point in their career? To get there and become the champion, it means a lot. My motivation, of course, is my family, that's all I'm leaving is amazing, but to be the baddest man on the planet. This is unbelievable. (…) Can you imagine that? Oh my God, there is no better feeling than that. You are the baddest man on the planet. So I'm fighting for it. I'm fighting to beat this guy again and I'm sure I'll beat him”, declared the fighter, in an interview with the website 'Fox Sports' (USA).
Cigano and Miocic already faced each other in 2014, with the Brazilian prevailing in the judges' decision. More than two years later, Dos Santos guarantees that the end result will be the same, but with a different outcome.
“My prediction is that this time I will knock out Stipe Miocic before the end of the second round. I have a lot of respect for him, but I will win”, concluded Cigano.
Cigano last acted in April 2016, when he defeated Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision by the judges. With 12 wins and just three losses in the UFC, the Brazilian became heavyweight champion in 2011, when he knocked out Cain Velásquez in just 64 seconds. A year later, Velasquez himself took the belt from Brazil by dominating Junior for 25 minutes. Since then, he has been unable to return to the high level he previously achieved, and alternates between good and bad results.
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