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After UFC president Dana White ruled him out of the running for a title shot at heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, former champ Junior dos Santos is pleading to be reconsidered.
"I want to clarify that I´m very well, and I´ll be in perfect condition to face Werdum at the end of the year," dos Santos told Sherdog.com. "Actually I was injured before the fight against Stipe Miocic [at UFC on Fox 13]. I had a strain in the [anterior cruciate ligament], and ended up aggravating it during the fight when the ligament totally tore."
Dos Santos says he's focusing on strength training and avoiding Muay Thai and grappling. Following his doctor's orders, he hopes to be cleared to return to normal training on July 14.
"I did a surgery with Dr. Moises Cohen in Sao Paulo and the procedure was perfect," said dos Santos. "He said I needed between six to eight months to completely recover. On July 14 it will be six months, and I hope he can release me to train at 100 percent."
Calling Werdum's submission of Cain Velasquez at UFC 188 'really impressive,' dos Santos says he hopes to reclaim the title by year's end.
"My intention was to fight at the end of the year, and everything is going in a perfect way. Werdum was suspended for 180 days; that´s the exact time I need to completely recover from my surgery, train hard and get 100 percent in shape to face him.
"I really hope UFC gives me the chance to fight for the belt again, especially against Werdum, who was my first great victory in the [promotion]. My intention is to have that rematch and regain my belt. I´ll be world champion again before the end of the year. I´m a very positive person, and I believe a lot in that fight. Now I Just have to work hard and return at 100 percent."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Plan B. In the event UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo can't go, Chad Mendes will fight Conor McGregor at UFC 189.
Keep your head down. 'Sad' sparring partner explains how he injured Jose Aldo. 'I'm really sad. Aldo was in shape and prepared for this fight.'
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses Jose Aldo's injury, Kimbo vs. Shamrock results, UFC Fight Night 70 and more in this week's live chat.
2 months. UFC strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk to have thumb surgery in Los Angeles next week.
No surgery. Daniel Cormier needs stem cell treatment on his knee, but still wants to fight at UFC 192 in Houston.
MEDIA STEW
Around the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.
Nathan Coy vs. Valdir Araujo from TUF 21.
All Angles: Cyborg vs. Tweet.
Fabricio Werdum wants to fight Andrei Arlovski to see 'Who is the daddy?'
Free Fight: Conor McGregor vs. Marcus Brimage.
Long watches.
...
TWEETS
Remain calm.
I told everyone not to worry ;) http://t.co/Wz09zrJmHZ pic.twitter.com/Fyg5KSLzuG
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 25, 2015
It turned out he just had a little period pain.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 25, 2015
Everything happens for a reason and I ain't no bitch!! Haha LETS DO THIS BABY!!! #illsavethisshow #anytimeanyplace #hatersgonnahate
— chad mendes (@chadmendes) June 25, 2015
@thatwonkid91 to piss u off
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 25, 2015
Just an FYI this is why u should never read or trust BJ Penn. Com. This is literally the MGM right NOW!! pic.twitter.com/34FY5Ij4sH
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 25, 2015
Reactions.
Goodluck to Connor in July ..
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) June 25, 2015
Much respect to Aldo. Hope fighters/camps etc take notice & learn to keep their mouths shut. Most skilled fighter in world in tough spot
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) June 25, 2015
So Aldo not gonna train for the next 2.5 weeks then defend the title? Not smart. Near impossible to train with severely bruised ribs
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) June 25, 2015
Congrats.
Such an honor to be nominated for TWO #ESPYS!!! I'm up for Female Athlete of the Year and Fighter of... https://t.co/Q74MeWMYXY
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) June 24, 2015
Whaaaaat!? I just realized I was nominated for a 3rd ESPY - best play for the world record breaking... https://t.co/BrSq8Lr6UY
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) June 25, 2015
Congrats to @Cowboycerrone & @RondaRousey on their @ESPYS Nominations! http://t.co/ZFfZW9xdSn
— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) June 24, 2015
I'm proud to be joining #TeamReebok today! Stay tuned for big things from me & @Reebok @ufc pic.twitter.com/RtzQVLwDm9
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) June 25, 2015
Big guns.
.@BarackObama Dear Mr. President - Please help us get MMA legalized in NY. I think you may know some people... http://t.co/SC9LzFp66a
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) June 24, 2015
Beef.
What do you say, @travisbrowneMMA? C'mon let's do the do. @ufc https://t.co/ZBfADFY6xl
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) June 24, 2015
I respect Diego and I am interested BUT I prefer fighting ranked fighter. https://t.co/bbDPF2L3lc
— 川尻達也tatsuya kawajiri (@CRUSHER_MMA) June 24, 2015
@CRUSHER_MMA @ufcrumors lol rankings! No one knows who you are! u fight me on ppv & they will! You confuse RESPECT with FEAR #UfearME
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) June 24, 2015
I don't even know why they give him a mic. Couldn't cut a promo if it was on paper and he had scissors.
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) June 25, 2015
Always next time.
I almost did this in a @UFC fight... Would have been epic. https://t.co/r1nlYsU9JD
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) June 24, 2015
Be careful.
After all the #food pics yesterday, #dinner became #ridiculous. #Foodporrn #off #season #meat #happy #Restaurant pic.twitter.com/E6A033Zse6
— Nick Hein (@NickHeinMMA) June 23, 2015
Dang.
Now our production building is on fire!!!! What's next? What else can go wrong this week? pic.twitter.com/sIpyVzxCRa
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 24, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (June 24 2015)
Edgar Garcia out, Andrew Craig vs. Lyman Good at UFC Fight Night: Duffee vs. Mir
Alex Chambers vs. Paige VanZant at UFC 191
Erick Silva vs. Rick Story at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira
Josh Burkman vs. Patrick Cote at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira
Valerie Letourneau vs. Maryna Moroz at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira
Chris Beal vs. Chris Kelades at UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via ynassar.
One of my favourite things about being a matchmaker for Desert Force (the largest MMA organization in the Middle East) is finding fighters who might not yet be recognized by the wider MMA community but have tremendous amount of potential and who are capable of making a splash in the big three promotions. It almost reminds me of playing Football Manager in my adolescence where you would occasionally find a striker who would join your team whilst you were playing in the third division and he would somehow propel you to the Champions League within 4 years.
...
Check out the rest of the post here.
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