UFC Rumors: With Cain Velasquez Out Who Should Junior Dos Santos Fight?

UFC heavyweight title contender Junior Dos Santos has made it clear that he will not wait for UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez to heal and fight. Velasquez tore his rotator cuff during his bout against then-UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 121.

According to reports, it was expected for Velasquez to be out from six to eight months.

However, according to Bloodyelbow.com, a new report has surfaced and revealed that the extent of Velasquez injury is much worse than once thought. It is now expected he'll be out for most of this year.

With Velasquez out indefinitely, and Dos Santos eager to step inside the Octagon, it is likely an interim heavyweight title will be created.

We'll take a look at some possible opponents Dos Santos could fight.

No.1: Frank Mir

Out of all the heavyweights, Mir is a logical choice and is the most probable candidate to face Dos Santos. An interim title bout is fitting for both competitors. Mir is one of the few heavyweight fighters that is currently active and not suffering from an injury. Not to mention, he is 3-2 in his last five fights gathering wins over Cheick Kongo and Mirko Cro Cop.

However, Mir is currently set to face off against the heavy-handed, rotund Roy Nelson at UFC 130 later this spring. If Mir is to pick up a win over Nelson, then it will more than likely earn him a shot at Dos Santos and it could occur on the Brazilian's home soil when UFC hosts an event in Brazil this summer. 

No.2: Brock Lesnar

Since his loss to Velasquez at UFC 121, Brock Lesnar has quietly stepped aside from the limelight. While rumors have swirled that the former champion would call it a career in MMA, other publications and writers have quickly downplayed that idea.

Depending on the time frame, a return to the Octagon could motivate the 265 lb. Lesnar to prove fans and critics wrong and show that he still holds a place in the heavyweight division. However, if he were to return, and against a rising, determined contender in Dos Santos nonetheless, one should wonder how mentally focused Lesnar would be, given the amount of time he has had off and also being finished for the first time in his career.

While it sounds intriguing, it's not possible, at least for now. Lesnar would probably return for a tune-up fight against a fighter like Cheick Kongo, Brendan Schaub or Ben Rothwell before he was elevated back into the top of the division.

No.3: Shane Carwin

Originally scheduled to fight against Roy Nelson at UFC 125, Shane Carwin was forced to withdraw because of a back injury, which required surgery. According to various reports, Carwin has resumed training.

The heavy-handed Carwin would provide an intriguing bout against Dos Santos and would arguably be the Brazilian's biggest test thus far. Both men have knockout power in their hands, with Carwin holding an advantage in power, and Dos Santos holding an advantage in technique.

It is certainly marketable, but not a probable fight to make, considering Carwin is coming off a loss to Brock Lesnar and did not look well-conditioned in his fight against the former UFC heavyweight champion. Like Lesnar, Carwin will likely return for a tune-up fight before he is put into title contention. A bout against the loser of Mir versus Nelson could be on the horizon.

No.4: Mirko Cro Cop

Since returning to UFC in 2009, Cro Cop has fared well against some the opponents he has faced. Some of those opponents, however, are sub-par compared to the upper echelon of the heavyweight division. It was evident that Cro Cop's last chance at making a legitimate run to the heavyweight title was against Frank Mir at UFC 120, and he lost.

While it would have been a confidence boost to Cro Cop, had he defeated Mir, but once he'd match up against the likes of Lesnar or Velasquez, it would take a lot more than just confidence to pull off a win against those competitors. Plus, Dos Santos fought Cro Cop at UFC 113 and he dismantled the Croatian heavyweight at will, ultimately forcing Cro Cop to verbally submit in the third round.

That's not to say a rematch wouldn't happen, Cro Cop recently signed a four-fight deal with UFC, but a second bout with Dos Santos would end much quicker than their first encounter.

It is possible that following his fight against Brendan Schaub, regardless if he wins or loses, Cro Cop could face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, a rematch that will certainly intrigue Pride FC fans.