Credit: tatame.com

Though top UFC heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos was disappointed to hear that his proposed title shot against champion Cain Velasquez would have to be put on hold while Velasquez recovered from shoulder surgery, his spirits have lifted with the news that he will serve as a coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite former heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar.

Along with the coaching spot comes the opportunity for dos Santos to ingratiate himself to a wider audience of MMA fans and further prove his right to a title shot by taking Lesnar on upon the show’s conclusion. Though he will potentially be risking his title shot against Velasquez, dos Santos is eager to improve his stock with fans and test himself against a feared former champion in Lesnar.

Dos Santos’ boxing coach Luis Dorea recently spoke with Tatame.com about his pupil’s impending fight with Lesnar; unsurprisingly, Dorea likes dos Santos’ chances against Lesnar, telling Tatame that “Cigano’s” striking will be too much for Lesnar.

“It’ll be a great fight. Brock Lesnar is strong, but we know where he hides his weakness. ‘Cigano’ has always faced the bests, since he debuted against Werdum, he has only confronted top athletes. I trust he’ll keep trying to get the KO,” Dorea predicted. “Brock is very strong, a wrestler, but we know his weakness. His weak point is exactly ‘Cigano’s’ strong point: striking. We know it’ll be a great show, ‘Cigano’ will go for the knockout and he has all weapons to get there with a win and keep his journey to the belt.”

A date for the eventual dos Santos-Lesnar meeting has not been set, but it can be expected to take place shortly after TUF 13 concludes.