Francis Ngannou Not Impressed By Junior dos Santos’ Jiu-Jitsu
Francis Ngannou doesn’t believe Junior dos Santos’ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is legitimate.
UFC Minneapolis will take place next Saturday night (June 29). Headlining the card will be heavyweight bruisers Ngannou and dos Santos. The two are set to collide inside the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The main card will air live on the major ESPN network.
Ngannou spoke to reporters during a media scrum inside the UFC Performance Institute. “The Predator” made it clear that he doesn’t think highly of dos Santos’ BJJ black belt (via MMAJunkie.com):
“First of all, I don’t believe that jiu-jitsu black belt. I don’t believe that dos Santos jiu-jitsu black belt. I don’t know where he’s from, but I don’t believe that. And I don’t mind that at all.
“But you never know what some fighter is going to come out with. I always keep thinking maybe he’ll try some wrestling or a takedown, but it’s not his comfort zone. I don’t know. He might try everything. But the most important is I’m prepared for every little thing.”
With losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis, many questioned if Ngannou would become a bust. He silenced the doubters with first-round finishes over Curtis Blaydes and Cain Velasquez. Neither fight made it to the one-minute mark.
As for dos Santos, he has won three bouts in a row. After suffering a first-round TKO loss to Miocic, dos Santos defeated Blagoy Ivanov, Tai Tuivasa, and Lewis. In the bouts with Tuivasa and Lewis, “Cigano” earned TKO finishes.
UFC Minneapolis will also feature a flyweight scrap between Joseph Benavidez and Jussier Formiga. Welterweights Demian Maia and Anthony Rocco Martin will also be featured on the main card.
