Junior dos Santos doesn't choose his fights 'ever', UFC calls and he says yes
Junior dos Santos isn't in the business of picking fights – he's more interested in ending them.
The former UFC heavyweight champion hasn't fought since his title loss to Cain Velasquez at UFC 166 last October, but with his body and mind healed, he's ready to get back into action. The only problem is finding him an opponent isn't as easy as it may seem.
UFC president Dana White revealed via UFC Tonight on Wednesday that former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem turned down two separate offers to face dos Santos on different cars. Since that report, Overeem has stated publicly that he's on vaction right now while allowing his body to heal so he's not accepting a fight against anybody, not just dos Santos.
Sources speaking on the basis of anonymity have told FOX Sports that Overeem isn't the only fighter to turn down a bout against dos Santos recently as the promotion tries to find their former champion a matchup for his return this year.
As for dos Santos himself as well as his representation here in the United States, they haven't heard a word about Overeem or any other opponent because their job is to say yes to fights, not hand pick the opponent.
Ana Guedes, who represents dos Santos as his attorney and representation here in the States told FOX Sports late Wednesday night following the news that Overeem turned down a bout against the former champion that the Brazilian fighter hasn't heard much about any opponent yet because the UFC typically finds someone who will say yes to facing him and then they ask him about the fight.
It always works out better that way because the UFC knows dos Santos is going to say yes
"Junior doesn't choose fights, ever," Guedes told FOX Sports via text message. "So whenever they bring him a bout Junior will accept. Probably they try to figure out the other guy before bringing us anything, so that may explain why we haven't heard (about Overeem)."
According to the UFC when the booking for dos Santos vs. Overeem was mentioned, the timeline was for May at either an event in Brazil or possibly as the co-main event for the UFC 173 event taking place in Las Vegas with middleweight champion Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort headlining the show.
It appears that May could still be a possibility for dos Santos to return, but now the problem remains finding the former champion a willing opponent.
