Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos discuss UFC title fight

New Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos and his May 26 challenger Alistair Overeem appeared in the Southland together Wednesday to discuss their upcoming pay-per-view bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Overeem, who sent former champion Brock Lesnar to retirement by knocking him out in January, said he anticipates gaining “the crown of my career” by defeating Dos Santos.

“I’m bigger, stronger, I hit harder and have more experience,” Overeem said.

Dos Santos (14-1), a Brazilian striker who took the title from Cain Velasquez by first-round knockout in November at Anaheim’s Honda Center, said he anticipates a fan-thrilling fight with another standup specialist in former kick-boxing champion Overeem.

“He’s a striker, I’m a striker -- two heavyweights hitting each other is something people want to see,” Dos Santos said.

The intrigue is how long Dos Santos wants that kind of fight to transpire.

Overeem admits the champion is “clever, with a long history of martial arts, he will come prepared.”

“I’m an MMA fighter,” Dos Santos said. “[Overeem] is very dangerous, strong and a great stand-up fighter. But I’m prepared to fight anywhere. I love to knock fighters out, but if I’m uncomfortable standing, I will use my jiujitsu and try to submit him.”

Dos Santos said he has relished the months he’s been champion, appearing on Brazilian television shows, helping mentor younger fighters and promoting the UFC.

“I’m proud of myself being the champion,” Dos Santos. “It was a dream of mine and now I want to hold onto this belt for a very long time. People recognize me, respect me more. I like when people recognize me.”

Dos Santos said he’s friends with fellow UFC Brazilian champions Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo.

“We don’t talk about what it takes to be a champion, as much as we talk about how things are going for us and how to help our sport,” he said.

Overeem, meanwhile, evaded a fine and jail time this week when he was sentenced Tuesday to 50 hours of community service and mandatory anger-management counseling after a plea bargain for a misdemeanor battery charge related to a Jan. 2 incident in which he allegedly pushed a woman in a Las Vegas nightclub.

“I have zero statements, and I paid zero dollars,” said Overeem, who must comply with the sentence to avoid a 90-day jail sentence.

Overeem will train for Dos Santos in Miami.

RELATED:

Bill Plaschke: Magic Johnson is perfect fit for Dodgers

Magic Johnson-led group picked as next Dodgers’ owner

T.J. Simers: Smile, it’s Magic! What could go wrong? Well ...

Alistair Overeem, Junior Dos Santos discuss UFC title fight