Issue 065
August 2010
One of the most devastating strikers in the UFC heavyweight division, Junior Dos Santos is a rising star and one of the most exciting fighters to come out of Brazil in recent years. A powerful and dynamic striker, Dos Santos arrived in the UFC with a bang in 2008, knocking out Fabricio Werdum in the first round.
STATISTICS
Name Junior Dos Santos
Age 25
Height 6’4”
Category Heavyweight
Record 11-1-0
8 (T)KO’s (73%)
3 Subs (27%)
Fighting Style Boxing / Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Fights out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Active since 2006
Dos Santos was given the nickname ‘Cigano’ after a Brazilian TV character who wore his hair in a long ponytail, much like the aspiring fighter did when he first entered an MMA gym. Dos Santos has shed the locks, yet the nickname remains.
With five straight wins in the UFC, Dos Santos has marked himself out as a potential future challenger for the UFC heavyweight crown. Dana White has steadfastly refused to match him against fellow heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez, preferring to keep the two apart until one of them has challenged for the title.
Next for the striker is an August match with Roy Nelson, the portly winner of The Ultimate Fighter 10. Should Dos Santos win, expect him to be among the first in line of those waiting to challenge for the belt.
Height
At 6’4” Dos Santos is by no means the tallest of UFC heavyweights, but his 77” reach and long legs mean he is a natural striker. The extra few inches Dos Santos has over the majority of his opponents means he is well suited to working from a high tie-up in the clinch, where he can bring his excellent Muay Thai attacks into play.
Bodyshots
Dos Santos’ striking power is well-documented, but a major weapon in his arsenal is his ability to deliver punishment to his opponent’s body. He mixes up high and low shots well, thumping his fists and knees into his foe’s midsection. It was the accumulative effect of repeated blows to the body that led to his eventual victory over Mirko Cro Cop in 2009.
Support Network
A member of the powerhouse Black House team, Dos Santos is teammates with Anderson Silva and the Nogueira brothers. Under the tutelage of Silva and ‘Minotauro’, Dos Santos can draw on the experience of two of the sport’s top fighters. Minotauro has described him as one of his best sparring partners, and has spoken many times about how he feels Dos Santos could become one of the sport’s greatest fighters.
CAREER SNAPSHOT
2006
Makes MMA debut in Brazil: A first-round TKO win.
2007
Fights a total of four times; wins a four-man tournament. Suffers sole loss to date.
2008
Arrives in the UFC with a bang, stopping tough Fabricio Werdum in under 90 seconds.
2009
Defeats 6’11” Stefan Struve and legendary kickboxer ‘Cro Cop’.
2010
KO’s Gilbert Yvel and Gabriel Gonzaga. Neither make it out of the first round.
