Junior dos Santos Says Stipe Miocic Is the Real Deal

Speaking to reporters at the post-fight press conference for UFC 211 (h/t via MMAjunkie), former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos talked about his main event title loss to Stipe Miocic. Dos Santos was knocked out by Miocic in the first round to lose the fight. With the win, Miocic has now defended his title twice, tying the record for title defenses at heavyweight. Below are some highlights from the presser.

JDS on his loss: “I’m very disappointed, not because he won the fight, but because I lost. I didn’t do any mistakes. Actually, everything was working very well. I know he walks forward all the time. And I like to walk backward and enjoy the opportunities that my opponents give me. I was throwing some hard kicks, and they were working very well until – I remember, the last kick I threw at him, he felt a lot. And I felt I did well. ‘Now I have to move.’ And then I don’t remember anymore. After the third kick, I felt happy in my heart. I said, ‘Man, it’s working; I’m going to win.’ And then, you know – heavyweights.”

Dos Santos on the fight: “I didn’t do any mistakes; it was on him. He did very well, actually. Heavyweights, man. I’m sad, of course. I’d like to win this. I’d like to become the champion again. But if I’m not the champion, I’m glad this guy is the champion. He’s a really nice guy. I still think the same. He deserves that. And tonight was his night. That’s the heavyweight division. I think I’ve already made many men feel like that. It’s terrible. I was prepared. I am prepared. And I had a lot to give there. And everything was working very well, the way we expected. We know he’s a tough guy who would walk forward all the time.”

His thoughts on Miocic: “It’s going to take a lot. This guy is the real deal, like I said during the week. He’s doing very well. He has really heavy hands. The way I see it, he’s going to continue to grow in this division … and become one of the greatest.”

JDS on what’s next: “Now, I’m looking forward to my next fight already, because I want to delete this thing. I have to sit down and try to understand what kind of lesson God wants me to understand. But I’m here. I’m still looking forward to my future fights, because that’s what I love to do. Today it didn’t work well for me, but I felt good. I felt almost there. After the third kick, I felt winning – until lights out.”