UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos has given the promotion food for thought after he informed them earlier this week that he wants to fight Alistair Overeem next rather than have a rematch with Cain Velasquez.
“I sat down with Junior dos Santos yesterday, who is the nicest guy in the world,” White told the media following last night’s ‘UFC On FOX 4 post-fight presser. “Seriously, we’ve all talked to Junior, he’s the nicest guy in the world, but he said, ‘I have nothing but respect for Cain Velasquez. I like him as a person and as a fighter, and I think he deserves the shot at the title. But I do not want to fight him,’ which is not what he said a month ago.
“He said, ‘Alistair Overeem is a punk. He’s got a big mouth, and he’s been saying lots of bad things about me, and I want to knock him out. I want to knock him out now.”
So is that the fight White is now looking to put together?
“I’m not saying that’s what’s happening. I’m just saying to you that’s what he’s saying. He wants this fight,” White said, but he couldn’t hide the huge smile on his face which suggested that it was something that he was keen on too.
For the record, Dos Santos has since tweeted that it’s the UFC’s decision in the end.
“Just to clarify: I will fight whoever UFC puts in front of me. But when people talk to much I feel anxious to shut them up.”
I think it would be harsh on Velasquez if it did happen, but I can’t deny that JDS Vs Overeem is a fight I’d really like to see, and it was originally scheduled to go down before the Dutch striker failed a drugs test earlir in the year.
Whether it does or doesn’t happen yet it’s a smart move for White to mention it though and start the hype for a potential encounter between them early as this could be a very big heavyweight fight indeed if and when it does eventually go down.
