By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

The telephone rings and Junior “Cigano” dos Santos answers, with a sleepy voice, to talk with TATAME.com. “I’m here on the sofa, lying, think about the life (laughs)“, jokes the heavyweight, resting in Bahia after the trainings. What’s in Brazilian’s mind is the doubt about his next opponent, after Gabriel “Napão” Gonzaga left the fight. “We’re waiting to see who they will put in Napão’s place, I don’t know for sure what does he have“, said.

With Gonzaga’s left, Junior’s presence is a doubt, but the heavyweight wants to stay on the card, scheduled to January 2. “I’m waiting an UFC proposal, but probably they will put someone else on his place. As the most of the heavyweights are sick or have scheduled fights, there are few fighters to put, but I believe that they will find someone (laughs)“, Junior said, analyzing the possible opponents.

“I’ll tell you, I was thinking about that“, reveals, laughing. “UFC has no options. Cain Velasquez might fight Rodrigo (Nogueira) in February, it looks like (Shane) Carwin went on surgery on his hand, I don’t know. There are some new guys on the UFC, but we hope that they match with someone more known on UFC“.

“Cigano”, who already defeated three opponents on the event, including the former Pride stars Fabrício Werdum and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, expects another top opponent, but he says that he won’t choose. “I face anyone. I’m training for a long time and I’ll be ready“, guarantees. “It’s not good to wait to don’t lose the rhythm. I was on this fight and it’s not nice to take the focus off. I have one month to the fight and whoever it is, I prefer to fight“, says.

NOGUEIRA’S RECOVERING

Rodrigo “Minotauro” postponed the combat against Cain Velasquez because of a staph infection, but Dos Santos reveals that the former Pride and UFC champion is feeling better now. “It was the same problem that happened before the fight against Frank Mir (UFC 92), but when I left United States, it was everything ok. He called me saying that he’s much better, but he’s still taking the medicines... The recovering is good“,Junior said, betting in a quick recover. “I believe that in a few days he will be as new again“, finished.