Dos Santos learns lessons from defeat by Velasquez
The 25 minutes Junior dos Santos spent getting pummelled by Cain Velasquez at UFC 155 in December were just the beginning of a brutal stretch for the normally jovial Brazilian.
When the main-event fight at the MGM Grand Garden was over, dos Santos was left with a badly swollen face, a bruised ego and an empty waist.
Gone was the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight belt he’d worn with such pride.
“The first three of four days after the fight was a depressing time,” dos Santos said. “It was tough. I was really, really sad because the thing is, I didn’t fight.
“I don’t care if the other guy is better than me and he wins the fight because he did very well and I performed well, but in that fight I just didn’t fight. Cain Velasquez did very well, but I didn’t fight so I was very sad.”
Dos Santos, 29, spent a few days sulking and watching video of the fight before realizing he had to move on. The former champion was just trying to figure out what went wrong.
“I want to watch it because I want to learn,” he said. “For sure, I made a lot of mistakes.”
Having absorbed lessons from repeated viewings, dos Santos is ready to take the first step toward regaining the belt, returning to action against Mark Hunt at UFC 160 on May 25 back at the MGM Grand. Dos Santos was in Las Vegas last week with friend Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva to promote the card.
Silva will fight Velasquez for the belt in the main event.
Both fighters said they’d have no issue fighting each other for the belt should both emerge from that card victorious.
■ YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN — A Twitter announcement on Sunday by UFC lightweight Melvin Guillard about his training situation might have been a bit premature.
Guillard, 1-4 in his last five fights, revealed he would leave the Blackzilians camp in Florida to return to Jackson’s MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., where he had risen to title contention.
His post included a series of smiley faces, but maybe he should have had those parentheses facing the other way. On Monday, several outlets reported the Jackson camp was not open to Guillard’s return.
Aside from making published comments a few months ago that irked members of Greg Jackson’s team, Guillard also is facing legal issues in Albuquerque. MMAJunkie.com reported Guillard is dealing with two misdemeanor counts of aggravated battery.
Guillard could not be reached for comment and has been quiet on social media since news broke of Jackson’s team not taking him back.
■ JOHNSON RELEASED — Despite a loss to Brendan Schaub last month at UFC 157 in Anaheim, Calif., heavyweight Lavar Johnson looked as if he would avoid the chopping block.
That changed after the drug test results came back and showed Johnson had elevated testosterone levels. That development, combined with the loss, was enough for UFC executives to cut ties with Johnson.
His release was compounded by a nine-month suspension from the California State Athletic Commission and a fine that’s still to be determined.
Also, former “The Ultimate Fighter” contestant Alex Caceres tested positive for marijuana following his split-decision victory over Kyung Ho Kang in Japan on March 3.
The UFC regulates such issues when there is no sanctioning body in place, such as in Japan. Caceres’ victory will be changed to a no-contest, and he will be suspended for six months and ordered to attend drug counseling.
■ WSOF 2 RESULTS — Anthony Johnson improved to 5-0 since his UFC release, winning a unanimous decision over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in the main event of the World Series of Fighting event Saturday at Atlantic City.
Also, Marlon Moraes knocked out Tyson Nam with a head kick in the first round and Josh Burkman knocked out Aaron Simpson in the first round.
The Las Vegas-based organization will host its next event at the Hard Rock Hotel on June 14. That card is expected to feature the WSOF debut of former UFC star Jon Fitch.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.
