Junior dos Santos gets edgy ahead of UFC 166 trilogy fight with Velasquez

(This story appears in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

Junior dos Santos is known as one of the nicer guys in mixed martial arts. Although the reputation might stick for a while, he has been trying to show he can step out from that label. Maybe he can have a bit of a mean side, too.

Ahead of Saturday’s rubber match with Cain Velasquez, the Brazilian has tried his hand at trash-talking. But it could be the role just doesn’t suit him.

Consider this: “Cain Velasquez right now is the guy I want to beat,” dos Santos said. “He’s a great athlete. He’s a nice guy. He’s a good champion. I’d like to see him as a champion. But not in my division. In my division, I will be the champion.”

And that’s about as mean as dos Santos gets.

Dos Santos (16-2 MMA, 10-1 UFC) challenges UFC heavyweight titleholder Velasquez (12-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 166 at Houston’s Toyota Center (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET). It will be the third time the two have met. In less than two years, it’s arguably become the best rivalry in UFC heavyweight history.

Dos Santos won their first fight by knockout in 64 seconds. But maybe more telling was Velasquez’s domination of dos Santos over five rounds in December to win back the title. That fight, dos Santos said, was filled with mistakes, the kind he’s committed to not repeat. “The biggest one I think was I gave him too much space,” dos Santos said. “I let him feel comfort- able during the fight. That was good for him. I didn’t put pressure on him. He was walking forward all the time, and he liked it.”

Velasquez more than liked it. Just a few days after Christmas in Las Vegas, he beat dos Santos in every facet of the game and left him a bruised and bloodied mess.

He wants to do it again in Houston. Dos Santos doesn’t think Velasquez is truly superior but concedes he had a good night in their second fight. “That doesn’t mean he’s going to always be better than me,” dos Santos said. “He was that night. I started to get confident, and I’ve just had to work hard for the next time. That’s what I did this camp. For this third fight, I think I’m coming more prepared.”

If that’s the case, dos Santos thinks things might look more like the first fight against Velasquez. He plans to mix things up, saying he’ll have to use more than his boxing skills.

Regardless of the outcome, dos Santos thinks the rivalry could last awhile. “It doesn’t matter what happens, because I’m always going to be there,” he said. “He’s a great fighter. And I know he’s going to give his best and he’s going to be in good position in the rankings, and I will be the same. Sooner or later, for sure, we’re going to face each other again.”

For the latest on UFC 166, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Junior dos Santos)