'Confident' Junior dos Santos strongly believes he will be UFC heavyweight champion again

After taking out Ben Rothwell thanks to a five-round striking session at UFC Fight Night 86 earlier this year, Junior dos Santos went under the knife to repair an injured shoulder. Fast forward a few months, and the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion has been cleared to resume training.

With his health intact and an all-important victory under his belt, "JDS" says he’s feeling like a rejuvenated fighter. In fact, as he declared on The MMA Hour, he hasn’t felt this good since he made his UFC debut back in 2008.

Furthermore, his confidence is sky-high at the moment and he strongly feels he will once again be sitting at the top of the 265-pound mountain. That’s why Junior says he will take on any and all comers to get there.

"I think it was during my UFC debut (that he felt this good). I was so happy about that and I am feeling like that again. I have too much confidence in me. I really, really believe that I am going to be the champion again," said dos Santos.

That’s not taking away from any contender in the 265-pound weight class, especially division ruler Stipe Miocic. But when he’s able to get back into the cage, Junior says it’s nothing personal, as he is coming for every single heavyweight.

"I take a look at the division right now with these guys and everything that is happening. I respect all of them, especially the champion Miocic. He is a great champion. But I am coming for all of them. I feel like I can do it."

As for when he plans to return to the cage, the Brazilian bomber is hoping to be cleared to return to action this December. And with plenty of heavyweight fights going down from here until then -- especially this weekend (Sat., Sept 10, 2016) at UFC 203 in Cleveland, Ohio --  there won’t be a shortage of suitable foes for "JDS" to face next.

This one in particular.