Junior dos Santos is a physically imposing figure.

He strolls down the sidewalk like a brick house that somehow found fluid movement, towering over the large majority of people he passes by. In all honesty, dos Santos appears to be a different species, an evolutionary advancement to the cluster of regular humans he stands with waiting for the crosswalk signal to change.

This is how things appear from afar, but up close the entire perspective changes. Sure, the former UFC heavyweight champion is a large man with stone block hands he's used to render capable savages unconscious, but there is no way to get past his smile.

It's disarming, pleasant, and as inviting as can be found in the fight game.

It's a Thursday afternoon and dos Santos is caroming around downtown Cleveland, one of the grittiest cities in the U.S, and there isn't a care in the world on his mind. He takes a few pictures of buildings, smiles and waves at passers by who double take because his size assures them he's a professional athlete, then stops to hug fans who recognize and approach the heavyweight star.

The way people look at dos Santos it's clear his smile is so radiant everything else falls to the background. The scar tissue that covers both of his eyes, created from the most brutal of wars, gets lost in his presentation. Outside of his size, everything that would remind you dos Santos is a fighter falls away as he starts to talk.

Later that day, in the peace and quiet of his hotel, dos Santos addressed his ultra-positive state of mind.

"I'm happy, man," dos Santos says. "I'm alive and it's a wonderful day. People carry their troubles around so heavy but man, you have to smile and just live your life. There are going to be ups and downs all the time, but if you let them weigh you down then you will be stuck there. I don't live that way.

"I don't understand people who are so angry all the time. Even some of the guys who fight carry that into the cage with them. When I get in there with someone I know it's my job to put them away, but even then I do not wish harm on them. I would be sad to know I hurt someone to be honest with you."


To say dos Santos' energy is contagious would be an understatement. Moods change in his presence, and it's an effect he clearly enjoys. The human interaction is one he covets the most, and despite spending the majority of his life in his native country of Brazil, dos Santos' English is very strong, and he uses it well in conversation.

Where many of his countrymen and women in the fight game struggle to connect with the American audience, dos Santos is miles ahead of the game.

"Oh man, thank you so much," dos Santos says when complimented on his English. "I've worked on it very hard and it's not an easy language to pick up. I feel like people can really understand me though and that's a great relief. When I was picked to coach The Ultimate Fighter I was worried because I couldn't speak that well and would probably need subtitles. 'Who wants to watch this?' is what I thought.

"But Dana [White] wasn't worried about it. He said people would just enjoy me being who I am and I think he was right. I made a lot of great fans off that show and many of them are still with me today. The Cigano Nation is strong, and I love my fans very much."

For as compassionate as dos Santos is outside the cage, he's just as driven toward success inside the Octagon. He's hammered his way to a divisional title, and experienced the other side of the equation as well. Dos Santos has achieved and endured in equal measure, and been pushed beyond the point most of his peers would break.



April 10, 2016; Zagreb, Croatia; Junior Dos Santos throws a punch against Ben Rothwell during UFC Fight Night at Zagreb Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports

Nevertheless, time away allowed his body and mind to recover, and a rejuvenated dos Santos steamrolled a red-hot Ben Rothwell at Fight Night 86 in Croatia. Dos Santos' performance signaled a return to form for the heavyweight slugger, and he's aiming at some familiar targets for his next showdown.

"I don't pick opponents but there are some guys I would be very happy to fight against," Dos Santos said. "I think a rematch with Miocic would be awesome. I'm not asking for the rematch, but I want to win the title and he has it. I'd also like to fight Cain Velasquez again. Cain is still puzzle for me. I've been working hard on my skills and I want to have this fourth fight to make everything clear."

"I think we did some great things together and we can still do more," dos Santos said. "He's an excellent fighter and a different guy. The last time we fought there was a lot of confusion in this division. I got the injury and then he became injured as well.

"Now, things are moving in the right direction in this division. I think after it's all said and done Velasquez and I will be at the top of the division again."

When it comes to rematches, there is one more fighter dos Santos is eager to lock up with as well. Recent UFC title challenger and former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem was the better man when they first met last December, winning the bout via TKO in the second round.

The loss to "The Reem" doesn't sit well with dos Santos, and he'd love the opportunity to find redemption inside the cage.



December 19, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Junior Dos Santos fights against Alistair Overeem during UFC Fight Night at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

"All I need is time to prepare so end of November or early December would be good for me," Dos Santos said. "I'm ready for anyone they put in front of me. I've mentioned a few guys already but I'll also fight Alistair Overeem. That guy, man. Something strange happened in our fight. He won, and I congratulate him on that, but I'm not going to accept it. I would be very interested in that rematch for sure.

"There are a lot of fights to make with me and I'm ready for anyone who is ready to step into the Octagon. I know I'll be ready."

While dos Santos is undoubtedly in the latter stages of his career in an unforgiving business, the reality of the situation doesn't diminish his optimism. Ever since he first strapped on the gloves dos Santos dreamed of becoming a world champion. Even though it was a dream captured then lost, the positive energy in dos Santos has kept the ultimate goal alive.

Dos Santos is determined to get his hands on championship gold once more, and he'll put down anyone standing in his way to make that happen.

"Being the champion is amazing," Dos Santos said. "Not just for me, but it's the goal for every UFC fighter. I want to be the champion because I lived some amazing opportunities when I was the champion. You are the No. 1 fighter in the world. Especially in my division, being the champion means you are the baddest man on the planet. It's amazing and I'm working hard to get it back."

There's no doubt dos Santos will put everything he has toward getting what he wants, but regardless of the outcome, it's a safe money bet he'll still be smiling.

And that is what makes him a champion.