Cigano packs power in his punch. Photo: Josh Hedges.
In the wake of UFC 129 – the biggest Ultimate Fighting Championship event to date – Canadians will be treated to another chance at watching a star-studded show up close. On June 11 the promotion makes its return to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena with a hard-hitting headliner: Junior Cigano vs. Shane Carwin.
The two heavyweights share a few commonalities between them. Besides holding the exact same record (12w-1l) and suffering their sole losses in similar fashion (submission), both boast some of the most potent punches in the ranks of the organization – some serious granite fists.
“Whenever I step in the octagon I’m going for the knockout, and this time will be no different. I know he’s going to want to knock me out too, but I have great faith in my potential. He’s never felt the power of fists like mine,” remarked Cigano during a press-conference via telephone this Tuesday.
Having gone without a fight since July of last year, when he lost to Brock Lesnar via submission, Carwin sees the matchup as a great opportunity to get his career back on track.
“I know Junior’s one of the top guys in the division, so this is a great opportunity. I’m living a dream and I want to make the most of it.”
Cigano has not lost since he joined the UFC fray in 2008. He’s had six fights, four of which he won by knockout, one by desistance, and one by unanimous decision. But he last fought back in August. Since then he’s gone through nearly ten months of anticipation and frustration, having opponents switched out on him on two occasions, when title holder Cain Velasquez fell to injury and Brock Lesnar, Cigano’s opposing coach in reality show “The Ultimate Fighter 13”, had to undergo surgery.
“I confess that I was kind of upset that my fight was changed on me again, but God knows what he’s doing and I can only wish Brock a speedy and excellent recovery,” he said.
“I think I just had a spell of bad luck. But I’m extremely focused and won’t rest until I win the UFC heavyweight title,” he said in finishing.
Check out the card:
Junior Dos Santos vs. ShaneCarwin
Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes
Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman
Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz
Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha
Yves Edwards vs. Sam Stout
Jesse Bongfeldt vs. Chris Weidman
Igor Pokrajac vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
James Head vs. Nick Ring
Dustin Poirier vs. Jason Young
Joey Beltran vs. Aaron Rosa
Darren Elkins vs. Michihiro Omigawa