Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is ready to turn back the clock. The Brazilian legend, known for his devastating knockout power, will step into the cage on May 16 at MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood, California. His opponent? Heavyweight knockout artist Robelis Despaigne. And the stakes? A potential path to some of the biggest names in combat sports.
Dos Santos hasn't competed in traditional MMA since 2021, but he's stayed active with two wins in bareknuckle fighting, including victories over Alan Belcher and Fabricio Werdum. Now, with a live Netflix audience watching, "Cigano" is looking to make a statement that could launch his long-awaited professional boxing career.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) is making a major move into MMA in 2026, with a headline event featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Dos Santos was initially offered a fight against fellow UFC veteran Jailton Almeida, but when that fell through, he signed a one-fight deal to face Despaigne instead. The connection with MVP, however, is about more than just one bout—it's about opening doors.
"That was already with that in mind when I signed with them," dos Santos said. "My eyes are on Jake Paul, who's now fighting at heavyweight too. He was even bringing up the possibility of boxing Ngannou. I think Ngannou regrets not taking the Jake Paul match, and now he wants it. And Ngannou himself—a boxing match between me and him, a rematch—I think that would be sensational."
Dos Santos has called out Paul in the past, before the YouTuber-turned-boxer booked a fight with Anthony Joshua. As for Ngannou, the two met in the UFC back in 2019, when dos Santos was on a winning streak over Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Blagoy Ivanov. That fight ended quickly with a Ngannou knockout, but dos Santos sees a different outcome in a boxing ring.
"That fight was quick and obviously, because of the mistake I made and I paid the price. Credit to him," dos Santos said. "But I think a second fight between us in boxing would be something really interesting."
While dos Santos hasn't ruled out facing Ngannou in a future MVP MMA card, boxing remains the priority. For a fighter who once ruled the heavyweight division with knockouts over Cain Velasquez, Frank Mir, and Derrick Lewis, the appeal of a new challenge is undeniable. And with MVP's deep ties in boxing promotion, including Jake Paul's events, dos Santos might just be one win away from the biggest fights of his career.