Junior dos Santos: ‘People Ask About Retirement, But It Doesn’t Apply To Me’

“I may be 40, but I feel great. I still have so much to show the world.”

Junior dos Santos did more than defeat Fabrício Werdum this past September in bare knuckle MMA.

He also ended a longstanding grudge with Werdum, gaining a new friend.

“It always bothered me that we never got along,” said dos Santos. “We were able to change that.”

Courtesy Gamebred Bareknuckle

The relationship between dos Santos and Werdum had been cold since their initial meeting in 2008 at UFC 90. That fight ended in a knockout victory for dos Santos, who made the most of his UFC debut.

In their rematch this past fall, dos Santos (22-10) won by split decision, a finish that allowed the two legends of the sport to speak after the fight.

“Had one of us knocked the other one out, we wouldn’t have been able to celebrate the moment together,” said dos Santos, who did a ridiculous amount of damage on Werdum’s left eye during the fight. “I told him that I was thankful to fight him 15 years ago, and I was thankful to fight him again–and I told him we weren’t- ever fighting each other again. He welcomed my words, and I really appreciated that.”

Courtesy Gamebred Bareknuckle

A former UFC heavyweight champion, dos Santos looks to continue his bare knuckle success–and add a new piece of gold to his collection–on Saturday. He is competing against Alan Belcher for the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA heavyweight title, which is Jorge Masvidal’s promotion, and it would mark quite an accomplishment at the age of 40.

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“People ask about retirement, but it doesn’t apply to me,” said dos Santos. “I may be 40, but I feel great. I still have so much to show the world.”

Courtesy Gamebred Bareknuckle

After a career in MMA, Belcher dominated in bare knuckle boxing, winning all four of his bouts. He then transitioned to bare knuckle MMA, beating Roy Nelson in November to win the inaugural title.

Belcher (19-8) is an aggressive, forward-moving fighter. This is a five-round bout, but it is highly unlikely to go the distance. There is a different kind of excitement whenever the heavyweights throw down, and that will be on display this Saturday when dos Santos looks to dethrone Belcher and become champion.

“He’s mean, and that’s the type of guy I like to fight,” said dos Santos. “That’s why I’m working so hard to prepare.”