Junior Dos Santos plans to retake 'baddest man on the planet' label with UFC 211 KO of Stipe Miocic

Only six fighters in UFC history have had multiple title reigns in a single weight class. Junior Dos Santos can become lucky number seven with a victory over heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic at UFC 211.

Dos Santos’ (18-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) first rise to UFC title glory was a masterpiece. He put together a nine-fight winning streak which included capturing the gold from Cain Velasquez and defending it once against Frank Mir. He was dethroned in a rematch with Velasquez at UFC 155 in December 2012, and in the years since has endured an up and down quest to reclaim the gold, which is now held by Miocic (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC).

Although Dos Santos’ record is just 3-2 since losing the belt, the thin nature of the heavyweight division paired with his dominant unanimous decision win over Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 86 in April 2016 put “Cigano” in perfect position to challenge Miocic in the May 13 pay-per-view headliner at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Prelims air on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Moreover, the fact Dos Santos already beat Miocic at UFC on FOX 13 in December 2014 – and is one of only two fighters to defeat him, overall – created the perfect narrative for a rematch. That set of circumstances might not come around again, though, which creates additional pressure that it may be the Brazilian’s final opportunity at the belt.

Dos Santos, however, said he doesn’t see it that way. He fully expects to win the title back from Miocic, but in his mind, it’s not a do-or-die situation.

“I’m just 33 years old, and I’m fighting against the top guys,” Dos Santos said on today’s UFC 211 media conference call. “Since the beginning, since I arrived here in the UFC in 2008, I was fighting with (Fabricio Werdum), who was supposed to fight for the title. Since then, I’ve been on top of this division. It’s one more step in my career.

“I have no doubts that I’m going to become champion, and what I miss the most, I miss the feeling to be the baddest man on the planet, to be the No. 1 in my division, to be the champion and live as the champion and enjoy it. We all work for that, and when we reach that point, it’s amazing. I’ve been there before, and I want to be there again.”

Dos Santos, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, has strong reason to believe he can get the job done. The first fight with No. 1-ranked Miocic was a competitive five-round battle that won “Fight of the Night” honors, and the outcome of the rematch will likely be decided by the side who makes the best adjustments. Naturally, Dos Santos believes that will be him.

“I’m a very confident guy; I like to be positive,” Dos Santos said. “In my dreams, the way I see things going in the fight, I can see myself beating him before the end of the second round. I’m very well prepared. I’m living a great moment. I’m stronger, I’m smarter, I have more experience now, and I think it’s the same with him.”

Despite the fact 29 months have passed between encounters, Dos Santos has fought just twice since he defeated Miocic. He picked up the win over Rothwell and suffered a knockout loss to Alistair Overeem (who Miocic just stopped at UFC 203 in September), but the inactivity isn’t a cause for concern, Dos Santos said.

In Dos Santos’ mind all the time has simply given him more opportunity to prepare and show up in the octagon at UFC 211 in his best form. If he does that, he expects his second UFC title run to begin in spectacular fashion.

“This is my time,” Dos Santos said. “Things are working well for me. I put in good work in the gym and now I’m ready for this fight. I respect Miocic a lot, and the way I’m going to show this respect for him is giving my best during the fight.”

For more on UFC 211, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.