According to a report Friday on ProMMAInsider.com, the coach for Junior dos Santos believes that there is more than an injury keeping his fighter and Alistair Overeem from meeting in the Octagon.
Two times now Junior dos Santos has been scheduled to face Alistair Overeem in the Octagon. Twice now, that scheduled fight has not gone off on time.
The first time they were supposed to meet, at UFC 146, the bout was cancelled due to Overeem's epitestosterone and testosterone levels being over twice the allowable limit. This time, Overeem backed out due to injury. Dana White said there would be no fill in opponent for Junior dos Santos. Instead, the fight would take place until the summer.
Luiz Dorea, who is a coach for dos Santos, wasn't so sure about the injury claim and would have liked to see Mark Hunt step in as a replacement. However, White said that Hunt turned that fight down. In speaking with Sherdog.com, Dorea let his feelings be known.
"We're not here to doubt, but it's really strange. Cigano's career does not depend on Overeem, but it's the second time that the fight has been canceled,” Dorea said. “What cannot happen is for Cigano to be penalized for it. He never chooses opponents, always accepts any fight and Hunt would be a good name. Injured or not, Overeem won't cause any setbacks for Cigano, who already had to start a camp and doesn’t want to go any longer without fighting. It seems that Overeem doesn't want this fight."
Dorea didn't directly accuse Alistair Overeem of doing anything against the rules, but he remains skeptical that everything is just as it seems. When Overeem was knocked out by Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva at UFC 156, his testosterone levels measured unusually low. That, coupled with the withdraw, perplexed the trainer.
"About that I do not know, but there's something weird there. It is reported that there was an injury, which we have to believe. Overeem is a great athlete, but he has his problems," Dorea said. “What will happen is that everyone who has a scheduled fight against Overeem will be [unsure if it will take place]. This is the second time that Cigano has prepared for this fight, and this requires dedication and money. This postponement will not obstruct Cigano's plans to seek the title shot soon after this fight.
"What else can happen in July, August? Will there be another story, another problem with the lab, or an injury?” Dorea continued. “There are great names in the division without a fight scheduled, .... but Overeem is also a great duel. Except that Overeem teases Cigano, and every time we get close to the fight, we do not know what happens. It's a difficult situation. But I'm quiet, and the UFC is watching."
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