Dos Santos

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship held a press conference today in Las Vegas, Nevada, in advance of the promotion’s upcoming May 26^th event, which will feature an all heavyweight main card. UFC 146 will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between champion Junior Dos Santos and former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem.

In addition to the main event competitors, Dana White, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez, Roy Nelson and Antonio Silva were on hand at today’s presser.

Here were some of the highlights.

Mir acknowledged that wrestling will be “a huge factor” in his bout with Velasquez, before noting that wrestlers can determine where a fight takes place. Later he conceded that the former champ’s wrestling abilities concern him “greatly.”

Overeem said that with the “proper diet and right training”, he believes UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones could compete at heavyweight.

White dismissed the idea that the all heavyweight main card may run the risk of having less than thrilling fights, citing the competitors and their records as evidence that the bouts will likely be entertaining.

Dos Santos said he’s “feeling good” heading into his bout with Overeem, and that he believes it’s an interesting time for the promotion’s heavyweight division.

White agreed that the card could determine who will challenge the winner of the upcoming Dos Santos-Overeem tilt.

Nelson said he believes the allure of the heavyweight division is due to the fact that they “finish fights” and are the “home run hitters.” Nelson will fight Silva at the May 26^th event.

Overeem called the heavyweight division “the biggest and baddest” of all the divisions.

White stated that although he thinks both MMA and boxing have had considerable success promoting lighter weight divisions, the heavyweight division has particular appeal with fans.

The UFC President also relayed that he believes the talent in the promotion’s heavyweight division is the best it’s ever been, before agreeing that the addition of Strikeforce fighters has further bolstered the division.

Overeem credited Dos Santos for having the best boxing in the division, before saying people will have to wait and see how the reigning champ matches up against his abilities.

Dos Santos said “I think so”, when asked if Overeem will be the best striker he’s faced to date. He also hinted that their upcoming bout might see “a striker go for takedowns.”

Silva acknowledged that he left the Blackzillian’s camp, due to Overeem joining the gym and the possibility the two might fight at some juncture.

Velasquez said that he didn’t dwell on his loss to Dos Santos, and instead focused on improving. The former champ did concede that he didn’t implement his game-plan quickly enough against Dos Santos, when the two fought in November.

Mir acknowledged that he’s learned to appreciate his successes more now, then perhaps he did when he was younger and sat at the top of the UFC heavyweight division.

Overeem reported that he plans to live in Miami permanently and confirmed that the Blackzillians will be his base camp.

UFC 146 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.