• UFC

Lesnar is 'as dangerous as Cain' claims Dos Santos

ESPN staff
January 13, 2011
Dana White has paid tribute to Junior Dos Santos for choosing not to sit around and wait for his title challenge © UFC
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Junior Dos Santos labelled Brock Lesnar "as dangerous as Cain Velasquez" after being confirmed as a rival coach on season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter.

Dos Santos had earned No. 1 contender status in the UFC heavyweight division following victories over the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga, Mirko Cro Cop and Roy Nelson, but he was forced to shelve plans for a title shot when Velasquez announced he was to have surgery on a torn rotator cuff.

As a result, the UFC paired Dos Santos with Lesnar, and the duo will go to war after they have coached a new breed of welterweights and middleweights on TUF 13. Lesnar, stacked with power and athleticism but lacking in technical ability when it comes to striking and jiu-jitsu, will pose different problems for Dos Santos, but the Brazilian is sticking to the same game plan.

"Lesnar is a very tough guy, he is different from Cain Velasquez for his height," Dos Santos told PVT. "He is a little slower but is as dangerous as Cain. It'll be different but I will work the same thing, takedown defense and boxing.

"My next bout would be for the belt but this one is welcomed. It will increase my resumé so much. I liked the choice and the opportunity to be the coach of the reality show, this will be a big challenge. My English isn't 100 per cent yet but I will do my best and I am sure and I will do well."

Meanwhile, president Dana White has confessed Lesnar is a gamble for the show, admitting it could be difficult to keep the former champion focused throughout the coaching process. However, he has once again defended Lesnar from suggestions that he is more in need of coaching himself, rather than attempting to pass knowledge onto others.

"The guy's a former world champion, has beat guys and held the title. No matter what his record is, what the guy has accomplished in the short amount of time that he's been in MMA is incredible," White said.

"In dealing with Brock, one minute, he can be into something, and the next minute, he can completely be not into something. I'm already prepared for this, mentally, and it's gonna be a tough season. I know it is."

Switching focus to Dos Santos, White added: "To put this guy on the shelf for a long time is ridiculous, and much credit to him for not wanting to go on the shelf. We've seen guys who have been in similar situations that say, 'You know what? I'll just sit out and wait.' Sitting out and waiting is insane."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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