Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos (21-5) made a bold statement regarding his next bout inside the Octagon. The 35-years-old promised he’ll deliver a second-round knockout at UFC 239 when he’ll be squaring up against Francis Ngannou (13-3).
“I would knock him out,” he said.
“I believe second round. I’m very confident with the second round because the first round, I’m always taking time to see what my opponent is offering me, is trying to do during the fight. So then I can figure it out in the first round how things are working and go a little harder on the second one. So that’s why I really believe I can knock people out this way.”
Our first stare down for #UFC239 on July 6th.
I really hope this time it will happen 🤨.#thepredator #ufc #atlanta#pressconference pic.twitter.com/0t6WjkV7yE— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 12, 2019
The Brazilian is part of UFC for more than 10 years, but he’s on a winning streak for the first time since 2012. Last year “Cigano” defeated Bulgaria’s Blagoy Ivanov via UD, TKO’d Tai Tuivasa in the second round and in March he outclassed Derrick Lewis via TKO.
The 32-years-old Ngannou on the other hand, is also on a winning streak. His last L came at UFC 226 when Derrick Lewis won via UD. Since then, the French defeated Curtis Blaydes via TKO and Cain Velasquez via KO, both in the first round.
UFC 239 will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 6.
