AT THE HOSPITAL, JDS AKNOWLEDGES THE LOSS AND CALLS FOR AN EARLY REMATCH
The Brazilian jokes about his looks and says he used the wrong strategy against Velasquez, focusing on take down defense over attacking.
Inspite the marks on his face from the fight against Cain Velasquez, the Brazilian Junior Cigano was still in good mood when leaving the hospital he was taken to, in Las Vegas, after the UFC 155. Missing the post fight press conference, the fighter went straight for medical check ups. Along his wife, Vilsana, and his assessor, Ana Claudia Guedes, the fighter left the traumatology section joking with the staff and saying he was feeling just "a little swollen"
"- I had no fracture, I am just swollen. Do I look pretty?" He asked before the picture.
Later, analyzing the fight, Cigano did reckon he used the wrong strategy and that he should have used more Jiu-Jitsu when he was on the ground.
"- He was better and deserved to win, but I have used the wrong strategy. I worried too much with his attacks to my legs (TD attempts) and I left my face unprotected. That's why he hit me. When I was on the ground, I should have used more Jiu-Jitsu, which I have trained so much. I tried to stand back up and that gave me troubles as well, but on the ground he is very good, very strong. I didn't hit him with any good punch, really. I had a great training camp, everything was fine, but this is the way fights are..." He said.
The Brazilian, who will stay in the US until January 14, took the opportunity to ask for a third fight against Velasquez to be scheduled soon.
"- I want it right now, soon. I've won the first and he got the rematch. Now I've lost and I want my rematch. I am saying that I want this fight. I will get my belt back."
On his way out of the hospital, Cigano met the American Tim Boetsch, who was defeated by Costa Philippou and taken to the same unit as his. Both greeted and also took a picture together. Smiling, Boetsch also joked about their looks.
"- I don't even know if we are smiling or not. By the looks of our faces, it can't be said." He said smiling.