Junior Dos Santos to Fight UFC Veteran in Bareknuckle MMA Championship

JDS gets another shot at heavyweight gold.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos will face off against UFC veteran Alan Belcher in Gamebred Bare-knuckle MMA. 

The fight, announced by Ariel Helwani on January 10, will be for the inaugural Gamebred MMA heavyweight title. "Cigano" and "The Talent" will square off on Saturday, March 2 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Tickets are already on sale.

Both dos Santos and Belcher have already competed under the Gamebred banner. Dos Santos has had one bout, defeating former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum in September 2023. A victory over Belcher would be a huge return to form for the Brazilian, who is just one fight detached from a five-fight losing streak.

Fabricio Werdum's face after fighting JDS, Photo courtesy of Gamebred Bareknuckle) / Gamebred Bareknuckle

This will be Belcher's third venture into Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, and his sixth bareknuckle bout since leaving the UFC. "The Talent" has enjoyed major success since departing the UFC, amassing an 11-fight winning streak across boxing, bare-knuckle boxing, and bare-knuckle MMA. Belcher's last victory was a highly contentious split decision over Roy Nelson, and he'll be looking to eliminate any doubt with a win over dos Santos.

It's a matchup between MMA veterans, with both fighters nearing 40 years of age, but it will be sure to pull some eyes to the Gamebred promotion.

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