UFC 108 Preview: Junior Dos Santos Talks About His Fight Against Gabriel Gonzaga

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 3, 2009 7:48 PM EST

Rising star, Junior Dos Santos (9-1) will be having another tough test in his young UFC career as he faces former number one contender, and fellow Cro Cop conqueror, Gabriel Gonzaga (11-4). He talked to sherdog about the match up:

I had the opportunity to meet big names in MMA in the UFC and will do so once again. Gonzaga is a very tough fighter, and, besides being a great heavyweight, he’s developed his technique. I don’t know if it will be my biggest challenge, but it will certainly be one of them.

He’s a complete fighter and very tough. He even fought for the title. I believe that his main intention is to try and take the fight to the ground. But surely there will be some striking between us.

The fitness in MMA, in my opinion, is the main aspect you need to have good results. I’ll be ready to fight three rounds with him. If he happens to get tired, I hope to make the best use of it.

This next fight, there are going to be a lot of chances to go to the ground. I train a lot of boxing and I like the striking, but it’s not any different with the jiu-jitsu, wrestling and muay Thai. I practice these arts very well. I know that Gonzaga is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and very good at what he does, but I’m training with the best ground fighter in MMA -- Minotauro. Believe me, I’ll be ready if the fight takes place on the ground.

When asked about challenging for the belt if he wins against Gabriel Gonzaga:

As I said at other times, I’m in no hurry to challenge for the belt, but if the UFC thinks I should, for sure, I’ll be ready. I say this, of course, only if "Minotauro" is not the champion, but I believe that will happen soon.

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“I say this, of course, only if “Minotauro” is not the champion, but I believe that will happen soon."

not likley…see mir vs BROCKLESNAR II,

by Beren on Nov 3, 2009 8:35 PM EST reply actions

but what if Carwin wins?

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 3, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions

Unless carwin can catch BROCKLESNAR square on the button and finish him off fast i think brock takes him down at the first sign on trouble and we see carwin on his back looking around with the “how the eff did that happen” face on…

I really like junior, NOG and brock so im happy no matter who is champ…

by Beren on Nov 3, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

Its doubtful...

I’d like to see carwin win but Brock is so dominating. I see the fight going longer the it did against Mir but in the end Brock will win.

by Remix. on Nov 3, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions

One Punch

Is all it takes.

’’Apparently the the only way to kill a lion is by rear naked choke…personally i’d just kick it in the head.’’ – Bas Rutten

"I am impervious to all pain!" – Pat Smith, UFC 1, right before tapping out to a Shamrock heel hook.

by Pennywise on Nov 4, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah and I thought Machida would destroy Shogun in the first round

As much as it pains me Brock is getting better and his size makes him a incredibly tough opponent, but Carwin is also a huge heavy weight and has ridiculous knockout power. Go back and watch him KO Gonzaga…….. that was a very short punch. If he connects with anything cleanly I believe its will be lights out for Lesnar and of course no post fight celebration with Coors light.

by despisedIcon856 on Nov 3, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions

I like both these fighters but would like to see Gonzaga win. Only because he has had such a rough few fights. He was winning against Carwin before he got sloppy and got ko’d. He was winning against Werdum as well until he gassed. His status in the eyes of many mma fans has fallen off dramatically since he Ko’d crocop. I still believe he has it as long as he can get his shit together.

Here’s hoping Gonzaga takes this

by TheBeaves on Nov 4, 2009 3:00 AM EST reply actions

if only Gonzaga would move to a premier camp

by IpullguardIRL on Nov 4, 2009 2:12 PM EST reply actions

Like Black House

I think he’d do fantastic at a place like BH or even ATT

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA. Xtreme Couture FTMFW.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Nov 4, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

If not he should at least go train with another top-shelf heavyweight fighter who he has no chance of fighting any time soon. E.g. Josh Barnett or Andrei Arlovski

by TheBeaves on Nov 4, 2009 7:26 PM EST reply actions