Junior dos Santos gick tidigare med 2-3 i sina senast fem matcher och lyckades jämna ut det hela när han segrade mot Ben Rothwell via ett enhälligt domslut i april. Han drabbades under mötet av en axelskada som han fick opereras för, men nu är han tillbaka och har blivit bokad för ett returmöte med Stefan Struve.
De två mötte varandra under UFC 95 i början av februari 2009, då han segrade mot Struve via TKO i första ronden. Här berättar dos Santos hur det gick till när mötet bokades, via ’MMAFighting.com’:
We started to consider him as an option because we were told that the UFC was trying to find a fight for me, and most of them turned it down. Some athletes said they didn’t have enough time to prepare for me, others turned it down, or were injured. When I heard Stefan Struve accepted it, I was happy because I’m recovered from my shoulder injury since October and I have no time to waste.
I was told that Mark Hunt didn’t turn down the fight, but he had some issues with the UFC, some contract stuff, so the fight didn’t happen. But Alistair, yes, he turned it down. It looks like it was offered for him in November and then in December, and he turned it down saying that he didn’t have enough time [to prepare]. I think this fight will be hard [to happen again]. I think he knows that what happened will never happen again. He was lucky.
I can’t just wait for a fight, for athletes to be well enough to fight me. I understand why they don’t want to fight me. I’m in a great moment in my career, my last fight was great, and I’m feeling this is my moment. I know how to use my strength and skill the best way possible. It makes sense for them to fear fighting me.
Om brasilianaren segrar i den kommande matchen hoppas han att UFC kommer att överväga att ge honom en titelmatch mot Stipe Miocic.
I will be the number one in the heavyweight division again. I know the mistakes I’ve done in the past, and I truly believe my skills and what I can do. I’m faster than any other heavyweight in the UFC. With or without USADA, whatever, I’m still the same.
De två möter varandr under Fight Night i Halifax den 19 februari.
