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[Sakara=Excitement]

Cain Velasquez to Junior dos Santos: 'You Gotta Get Through Me First' - MMA Fighting

Aug 6, 2012 - Current UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez like and respect one another. Dos Santos and former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, however, do not (as far as public appearances go). They're also both fairly willing to acknowledge as much in public. That may be why Velasquez, despite being named the top contender to face dos Santos after his UFC 146 victory, could end up losing out on a title shot opportunity.

Here's how this goes: Velasquez vs. Mir at UFC 146 was supposed to determine the number one heavyweight contender. But Overeem, who was supposed to fight Dos Santos, was removed from the card. Velasquez fought Antonio Silva instead while Mir moved on to face Dos Santos. The champion retained his title and Velasquez bested Bigfoot. After the press conference, UFC President seemed to be suggesting all signs were go for a rematch between the Brazilian and the Mexican-American.

That's why despite recent chatter that Alistair Overeem could get a spot on a December card in a title fight against the champion has the AKA product publicly pleading his case. "I'm in line next for a title," Velasquez told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour on Monday. "For Junior, I have the most respect for him as well as a person and as a fighter. I think he represents the sport very well. But as a champion, if you have a number one contender, then you don't normally get to choose who you fight."

Velasquez isn't necessarily confused about what's going. He knows why Overeem has suddenly emerged in the picture and why that fight could be made. It's just that he doesn't see this as particularly fair. "I don't think you as champion should choose who you fight. [Junior]'s not ducking me. He's a great competitor. He's a great fighter. I just think him and Overeem and him had some words spoken back and forth to each other and he wants to fight him. He really wants to fight him first, wants to beat him. But you gotta get through me first."

The former heavyweight champion also knows that in a world where fists and chokes decide who wins fights, words and statements can often first determine who is placed in those contests.

In keeping with his tradition of not firing off at the mouth to get attention or new opportunities, Velasquez is mostly mum on the topic of Overeem and his performance enhancing drug or commission issues. It's true he doesn't believe Overeem deserves a title shot despite himself earning one after besting Brock Lesnar in 2011 - "About him being in trouble with testosterone and everything else and then getting a title shot, I definitely don't think it's right" - but all Velasquez cares is what he's done and what he believes is rightfully his.

There may soon be a resolution to this conflict. Velasquez told Helwani his management is speaking with White either today or sometime this week. Velasquez would prefer to know one way or the other. He's been anticipating a September fight, something that appears unlikely to happen, and has been forced to dial back his training as a consequence of inaction.

That's why the former champion is speaking out now. He's not clamoring in boisterous proclamations, but in the only way he knows how: by pleading a case of merit.

[Mr. Cornute]

As much as I'm not a fan of lose the title, win one & get a rematch for the title in the HW division you don't have much of a choice & by far Cain deserves the fight
After pissing hot I cannot stand Overeem & don't think he deserves to fight for the title at all more less over Cain. Overeem can win a match impressively & then worry about a title shot.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I think Cain means AGAIN.

"You've got to get through me, AGAIN"....

[Flynnja]

Right now there's really not a clear cut number 1 contender. Cain beating Bigfoot doesn't get a shot at the belt imo. Cain vs Werdum would be nice for a clear number 1 contender. (Still don't know how Werdum went from Roy to Russow) Cormier is right up there with a win over Mir for his last SF fight too.

Right now I'd prefer Reem over anyone just for the fireworks it could provide.

[K1NG P3NN]

JDS will beat Cain again IMO. I just don't see anyone holding him down for five rounds, and I certainly don't see anyone knocking him out. His boxing is off the charts and the thing is, people know thats whats coming, because he rarely throws kicks, but they still can't stop it. War Cigano. I do hope he gets to shut up Roidreem though

[Sniggles]

Can someone point out where Cain explains how he deserves a rematch with a single win?

I have a feeling he doesn't have an answer to that.

[Y2JUBAE]

He already did.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Cain was already granted the rematch everyone. It looks like it's being taken from him as well.

[ichibabythecancrushe]

this is what i hate about dana and the ufc they need a clear cut ranking system you win you move up if #8 beats #2 he's now #2 or at least #4 or 5

[joeodd2]

yeah, right now Cain's kind of like the chick the quaterback asks out to the dance, because the hot cheerleader is out of town, but wait, the hot cheerleader may be back in town early......