UFC 131: Junior Dos Santos Proves He's the Man to Face Cain Velasquez
Photo by Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Coming into Saturday's UFC 131, many believed that if Junior Dos Santos kept Shane Carwin on his feet in their heavyweight bout, he would come away victorious one way or another.
And so he did...
Carwin, even when he tried to get Dos Santos to the mat and use his superior wrestling skills, never was able to, and found himself on the end of a plethora of bloodying blows throughout the fight.
Dos Santos actually threatened to end it toward the end of the first round when he clipped Carwin with one of his trademark uppercuts, then began to wail away while Carwin tried to cover himself up on the ground.
But one thing Carwin did show this fight, which should come as no surprise, was tremendous heart and grit. Carwin emerged from Dos Santos' barrage to make it to the end of the first, and withstand several attacks from Dos Santos throughout the fight before it went the full distance.
But Dos Santos dictated this fight, using his superior boxing power and speed to dazzle Carwin at times, not to mention a thunderous leg kick that hit Carwin flush in the head in the second round.
By the end of the fight, Carwin was a bloody mess, officials having to stop the fight in the third round to see if he could continue.
Dos Santos once again proved he is the No. 2 heavyweight in the world.
Soon he will get the chance to claim the title of No. 1 heavyweight in the world against defending champ Cain Velasquez, but I'm guessing that's not going to be as easy.
However, even if Dos Santos loses to Velasquez in their upcoming bout, he's already proven he's one of the UFC's most supreme fighters.
Next up will be Velasquez, loosely pencilled in for October, and White believes Dos Santos will need to iron out some flaws in his game if he is to steal the heavyweight belt.
"You know what I think?" said White. "I think he's going to have to get a lot more well-rounded. He said he's going to work on his boxing. Dude, you better start working on your kicks and your punches.
"Cain Velasquez -- he's got cardio for days. He keeps coming forward and he does not stop until he finishes you. I'm not [Dos Santos'] coach, but I'd have him work on a lot more than his boxing to get ready for this fight.
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