Junior dos Santos Discusses Triad Combat Debut, Picks Winner in UFC 270 Headliner

After being released by UFC in December 2020, former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is really motivated to return to combat sports.

Scheduled to face former European boxing champion, Kubrat Pulev, at Triad Combat 2 on Feb. 26 in Houston, “Cigano” praised the promotion’s hybrid rules at a recent press conference held for Brazilian media.

“The rules are even both for MMA and boxing. The ring in the format of a triangle will be beneficial for MMA guys, who like less space to move, which is definitely not my case,” said dos Santos, who is splitting his training between Cuban boxer Pedro Diaz and American Top Team wrestler Steve Mocco. “I think that format makes the fight more interesting. I also liked that they took out the boring part of boxing when fighters clinch, and fight is stopped by the judge. In the Triad we can keep fighting from the clinch, which makes it possible for these two worlds to collide.”

Dos Santos was critical of the performance of former UFC foe Frank Mir, who was knocked out by Pulev at the first Triad Combat event.

“I didn't like Frank Mir's performance. He stayed still, also the punches he threw against Pulev didn't seem strong to me,” dos Santos said. “Since he didn’t move, he gave Pulev the opportunity to do what he does best, the sequence of jab and straights. I´ll bring a totally different fight. I´m really motivated to fight. Grappling training hurts a lot. For Triad, I'm being able to train the part that I love the most and that lit a flame in my heart.”

Speaking to Sherdog.com after the press conference, dos Santos gave his pick for the UFC 270 heavyweight championship headliner between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane.

“It´s gonna be a clash of styles,” he said. “I think Gane is more complete as a fighter with a more refined technique. On the other hand, Ngannou is pure knockout power, something never seen in MMA. As the two know each other very well ,this will make the fight even more interesting, but in my opinion Ngannou has the advantage because it's very difficult for Gane to go 25 minutes without committing one single mistake and being hit.

“All Ngannou needs is to get close and put a hand on him. I bet Ngannou will win.”