Junior dos Santos: Alistair Overeem only calls me out when I'm injured

Alistair Overeem has made it a point to prove to mixed martial arts (MMA) fans -- and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White -- that he isn't afraid to bang it out with Junior dos Santos by calling out the former champion for a fight.

Of course, it's all for naught, as "Cigano" is sidelined with injuries for the time being.

That's the very reason Junior believes Overeem has been puffing his chest and calling for a scrap, as he knows very well he can't accept the challenge at the moment. And as soon as the Brazilian bomber has a clean bill of health, he seems to think Alistair will zip his lips.

From his appearance on The MMA Hour (via MMA Fighting)

"I have to smile because this guy... He knows I'm hurt and that's why he's saying these things. I'm injured and I can't fight right now and that's why he's saying these kinds of things. I really think he wants to promote himself. I wanna see him saying these things when I'm 100 percent again. I think he's going to be quiet again. But of course, I don't pick opponents. If the UFC wants me to fight him, I will fight him and I will be glad to face him. We were supposed to fight twice and both of the times didn't happen because something happened with him."

At the end of the day, Junior says Overeem is a good athlete, but he's a "better talker than a fighter."

As for "Cigano," he's had a rough stretch as of late, going an even 2-2 in his last four fights, losing twice to Cain Velasquez with two wins over Mark Hunt and Stipe Miocic sandwiched in between. In January, dos Santos suffered a ligament injury in his right knee and underwent surgery for a deviated septum (pic).

But even through the hardships, dos Santos always found a bright side and says he's learning from his setbacks.

"It's a very tough time for me. I don't know what happened, bad things started to happen with me, but I think bad things comes to you to make you learn something. I think I'm learning a lot, I think it's going to make me a better person and a better athlete. For sure, I don't know why it's happening, it's very tough. Last three years were really tough for me, but I believe things will go well for me and I will be 100 percent again."

The stand-up specialist revealed he has about three months to go before he's at full speed.

That means if Overeem is willing to wait, the much-anticipated heavyweight showdown between the two could finally become a reality at the end of the year.

Who wants it?