In his heyday, Junior Dos Santos was regarded as one of the best fighters in the UFC. For more than a decade, “Cigano” was one of the most popular faces in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Santos had a respectable UFC career and scored victories over the likes of Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, and Frank Mir.
Dos Santos was let go by the UFC earlier this year after he lost four UFC fights in a row. Back In 2011 though, the Brazilian native won the UFC heavyweight championship and was one of the top performers for the company.
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Junior dos Santos appears to have many choices for his combat sports career now that he has been released from the UFC. For now, though, the Brazilian fighter has joined AEW.
Junior dos Santos’ first moments as a pro wrestler pic.twitter.com/KIhpYZOsCi
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 16, 2021
The former UFC heavyweight champion made his pro wrestling debut for All Elite Wrestling. Dos Santos also told ESPN on Wednesday that he is in discussions to make his boxing debut. “Let’s see,” Dos Santos stated. “I’ve been having some good conversations. Even on boxing. Boxing, I think, would be the perfect way for me to go. I’m a boxing guy, everybody knows that. I’ve never had an official pro boxing fight. Maybe this is the time.”
READ MORE: ‘UFC Didn’t Even Talk to Me’- Junior Dos Santos Hits Back at Dana White For Cold Behaviour
Junior Dos Santos got smashed through a table in his AEW debut
In his first professional wrestling encounter, Junior Dos Santos made headlines. The former UFC heavyweight champion made his pro wrestling debut at AEW Rampage in Miami.
The former UFC champion didn’t shy away from the action, as he joined other AEW stars in the six-man tag team match main event. Dos Santos’ visit ended in a brawl with current Bellator heavyweight Jake Hager, who lifted up dos Santos and slammed him through a table outside the ring.
Watch the video highlight below.
.@RealJakeHager sends @junior_cigano through a table! This main event is WILD – Tune in NOW for #AEWRampage LIVE on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/uhVANBNON3
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 16, 2021
Dos Santos hasn’t fought in MMA since he broke ties with the UFC in March. He left the company on a four-fight losing run and with a 21-9 MMA record. It is unknown whether dos Santos intends to compete again in MMA.
What did you make of Dos Santos’ AEW debut? Let us know.
