For the past three years, Junior Dos Santos has been one of the top competitors in the 265-pound division. However, injuries have hampered his ability to fight frequently.
This Saturday, December 19, Dos Santos will face Alistair Overeem in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 17 (UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2), with the hope of (if he wins) earning a new opportunity for the heavyweight title, this would be against the winner of the rematch between Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez.
Dos Santos spoke with Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting about Overeem and his chances of getting a title shot:
"I feel good now to be fighting against him. He is a very tough opponent. Everyone knows that he likes to talk to promote the fight, but many of the things he says don't make sense to me, because who retired from the first fight? It was him because he didn't pass the drug test. He says that I didn't want to fight against him. I do not choose opponents. I feel good. I feel butterflies in my stomach because it has been a long time since I last fought, and I see myself winning in many different ways. I think a victory over Alistair Overeem will give me the opportunity to fight for the title again. It doesn't matter who the champion is."