By Guilherme Cruz

Photo UFC

The first challenger at Junior dos Santos’ UFC title is about to get into a huge fight outside the octagon: Alistair Overeem is being charged for assaulting a woman in Las Vegas. Not very aware of the situation, Cigano remains training hard in Salvador, Bahia, while Lorenzo Fertitta tweets that the fight is set for May 26^th, on UFC 146. On an exclusive interview, Junior commented on the style duel against Alistair and said he trusts his hands to knock anyone out.

What are your expectations for 2012?

The expectations are great. Thank God I got there and made my dream come true, which was to be the holder of that belt. I’m really glad with everything I’ve been going through, and I wanna keep this good moment. I got healed from my knee now, I’m training a lot and getting prepared for my next challenges. I know it’s not gonna be easy. From now it’s a whole new work. My dreams are renewed. I want to be the heavyweight champion for a long time.

People always say it’s even harder to remain as the champion then getting there. Are you ready for it?

I don’t think it’s harder to stay there once you get there, I guess it’s two completely different phases in a fighter’s career. Both phases demand a lot from the fighter, but I believe I’m ready for it. I’m learning more and more. I have to develop all my skills in the sport. My next bouts will be like a test for me, because I gotta keep this belt and I’ll do my best to do it. Now it’s all five-round fights, so the challenge is on a whole new level, but I guess it’s just as hard as always been. I gotta be even more dedicated.

Your next “test” has a name: Overeem. What are your thoughts?

Overeem is really a tough, dangerous, heavy and really strong guy. I see him as a good challenge. Probably he’s accepting the stand-up fight. To me, it can go to the floor or on our feet. He’s very dangerous, but I gotta use my speed. I really believe in me, I’m always confident about my attitudes. I guess one of the secrets is: believing in yourself if half way. I really believe I can beat him. And as any fight, I’ll get there to knock him out. It won’t be different this time, I’m going there to knock him out.

Fans split opinions: some say you got the best stand-up and others say Overeem has it. Despite believing on your victory, do you believe you’re more technical then him on your feet?

I believe so. I really believe my stand-up. I believe i can knock anyone out doing the right work. He’s as dangerous as me on the stand-up, there’s a reason why he became the champion at K-1. It’ll be a hard fight, it’s gonna come down to who hits the other first. The impact of a heavyweight punch can knock one out in a second.

You’ve shown you got a hard chin when you fought Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson, who are guys that hit hard. Are you ready to fight Overeem?

I’m a fighter, I’ve learned how to fight suffering in the gym. In the gym I live the reality or I push myself even further than the bout can offer. I’m prepared for the good and bad moments of the fight. The main thing is for the fighter to know how to get hit too. If you’re only a fighter in good times, you’re going down soon I believe I’m prepared for both situations.

There is a polemic going around Overeem, who’s been charged for a supposed assault towards a lady in Las Vegas. Did somebody from UFC come and told you something about the fight?

They haven’t commented anything with me, I’m just waiting. I only heard about it. I’m not the one to go and judge people, but, if it really happened… I guess it’s complicated for an athlete of a sport as seen as ours to go and do something like that. I guess justice knows better. But I’m guessing we’re still fighting (hours later, Fertitta tweeted they’re fighting at UFC 146). If it doesn’t happen and they replace him, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m ready to fight anybody. I’ve never picked opponents and I won’t start doing it now I’m the champ. I leave it for UFC to decide, because they know better.