Junior dos Santos (aka Cigano) will compete against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Raleigh. It is a classic striker versus grappler match-up. One holds the record for the most knockdowns and the other holds the record for the most takedowns.
Cigano was one of the fighters featured on the UFC’s 25-year special series. In the episode, dos Santos trains in Brazil. At the time, he was preparing to face Frank Mir. During camp, Cigano befriends a local boy. The boy grows attached to Cigano and requests to travel with him.