Today, UFC gave select media the opportunity to sit down and talk with UFC 131 headliners Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin and Inside Fights was on hand to deliver the juiciest quotes for our readers and fans to enjoy.
Junior dos Santos
- Dos Santos feels that Carwin is very dangerous and respects him, but believes in himself enough to feel 100% confident in his upcoming performance
- Junior hasn’t fought for ten months and says the break has been too long for him – he’s excited about getting back in the cage
- “It doesn’t matter (standing or on the ground) – I’m ready to fight.”
- Dos Santos has not spoken with Lew Polley (who he dismissed from his duties) since TUF 13
- “With Brock I could use my boxing more – smarter, easier – and now I have to be more careful.”
- As much as he would like to fight in front of his fellow Brazilians at UFC 134, his focus is on Shane Carwin.
- Dos Santos stated that he would do The Ultimate Fighter again based on the friends he made on the show.
- Despite Carwin’s ability to take damage, he will be looking for a knockout
Shane Carwin
- After experiencing “numbness” in his limbs and back due to his injury, Carwin considers the difference in his condition since getting surgery is “night and day”
- He doesn’t mind drawing Dos Santos in his first bout back as he understands that there are no “warm up” fights in the UFC.
- Carwin expressed delight about the opportunity he’s been given and being promoted from an undercard match-up to the main event
- Carwin also stated that he’s made changes to affect his cardio and diet after coming to some realizations after the Lesnar fight.
- “Dos Santos and I got to where we’re at by knocking people out on our feet. We’re both explosive fighters and the fans are gonna have a real treat come UFC 131 when it comes to that main event.”
- Carwin has changed to a more organic diet; feels like he has more energy and that he’s able to recover better as a result. Also, he is down to 255 from his usual 280 pound weight.
- Carwin also expressed his prayers for Lesnar’s recovery.
- Carwin feels that Brock and Junior are both dangerous, but in different ways.
- Shane said he has no intention of taking Dos Santos down. He trusts his own stand-up and power
