Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos are expected to compete at UFC 166 in October.
According to Sportsnet ‘s Joe Ferraro, UFC President Dana White revealed the details of the possible matchup during a media session for UFC 161 in Winnipeg Thursday. Ferraro said White confirmed that, while there was no plan to hold the match at Cowboy Stadium, UFC 166 will be held in Houston . The event would mark the promotion’s first time back in Houston since UFC 136 in October 2011.
Velasquez and Dos Santos, who are ranked the No. 1 and No. 2 heavyweights respectively, are tied at one fight each in their previous encounters. The first time they faced off in the Octagon, Dos Santos defeated Velasquez by KO at 1:04 in the first round for the heavyweight championship. The second time, Velasquez reclaimed his title by unanimous decision.
Both fighters scored victories at UFC 160 last month. Velasquez beat Antonio Silva by TKO at 1:21 in the first round, marking his first title defense since winning the championship back from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos triumphed over Mark Hunt by KO at 4:18 in the third round.
After UFC 160, the promotion hinted that it would consider bringing a third fight in the Velasquez vs. Dos Santos saga to Houston. In addition, the UFC has already set up a number of major title Pay-Per-View fights through the end of the year.
Lightweight champion Benson Henderson will take on TJ Grant at UFC 164 in Milwaukee on August 31. Jon Jones, the youngest light heavyweight champion in UFC history , will defend his title against Alexander Gustafsson on September 21 at UFC 165 in Toronto. Finally, Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos will square off for the heavyweight title.
UFC 161, which airs Saturday, June 15, will feature Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson in the main event. Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic, Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac, Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton, and Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan are also set for the main card.
[Pictured: Cain Velasquez, Photo credit: Open__ / Flickr]