Junior Dos Santos Wants Title Bout with Alistair Overeem to Be Held in Brazil

Junior dos Santos' recovery process is going better than expected and he is eyeing a return date later this summer.

The UFC heavyweight champion is prepared to make his first title defense against Alistair Overeem. The Dutchman earned the opportunity to challenge dos Santos after he defeated former champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141. 

"Cigano" spoke with MMAJunkie Radio to give an update on his current status and is confident he will be able to make a full recovery.

"In another 20 days, I'll be feeling 100 percent again. Then I need two-and-a-half (months) to do my camp, and then I'm ready to do," dos Santos said.

Dos Santos is recuperating from knee surgery after he tore his meniscus 10 days prior to his bout against Cain Velasquez on UFC on FOX. The Brazilian knee injury did not hinder his performance at all, as he knocked out Velasquez in just 67 seconds to become UFC heavyweight champion.

When asked about a specific date, dos Santos didn't specify, however he said an ideal setting would be in Brazil. The UFC is tentatively planning to hold an event in Sao Paulo. The champion said hosting the title bout in his homeland is a chance to showcase his skills for the fans.

"MMA is very popular here in Brazil now. I would love to fight here," he said. "But the important thing is I want to make all my fans around the world watch good fights when I get in that octagon. So I will try to do my best."

Both dos Santos and Overeem are renowned for their world-class striking ability, however dos Santos hinted at utilizing more than just his boxing skills.

"I think for sure the fight between me and Alistair is going to be a standup fight," he said. "But if I feel I have to take him down and use my jiu-jitsu to beat him, I will do that," he said.