Cain Velasquez: “It's going to be a war out there for five rounds.”

UFC heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos sat down with media earlier today for the first time since their headlining bout at UFC on FOX was announced and spoke about the challenges each faces in the other. As might be expected given their general attitudes, both showed great respect to the other and made it clear winning on November 12 will be anything but easy.

“It’s going to be a war out there for five rounds; that’s how I prepare myself and that’s how I go into each training camp thinking,” said champion Velasquez while admitting Dos Santos will be the hardest opponent he’s faced thus far, adding, “I do think this is my toughest test. He’s got great hands, great power, great boxing. This is definitely going to be a good fight.”

“I love to fight standing and I’m sure to be prepared to fight on the ground. I’m learning wrestling very fast. I know Cain is a very good wrestler and he will probably try to take me down, but I will be ready for this and use my BJJ,” explained “Cigano” of what he expects to face when the two lock horns in Anaheim.

Velasquez echoed the Brazilian’s statements in regards to being prepared no matter where the action takes place even though he sat on the sidelines for an extended period of time with a shoulder injury.

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“I expect to go everywhere in this fight: wrestle, go to the ground, jiu-jitsu – I don’t see this being fought in just one style. My wrestling, boxing, and jiu-jitsu needs to be sharp and intact for this fight. I need to be a well-rounded fighter that night to win the fight”.

The two heavyweights combine for an overall record of 22-1 with Dos Santos’ lone defeat occurring nearly four years ago. Meanwhile, the 27-year old striker has beaten the likes of Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin in the Octagon, while Velasquez holds past UFC victories over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Brock Lesnar.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC