Rozenstruik Ready For Ngannou Rematch

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Jairzinho Rozenstruik lost the first fight of his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career when power-punching heavyweight wrecking ball, Francis Ngannou, took him behind the woodshed in the UFC 249 co-main event back in May.

“Bigi Boy” may be down, but he’s not out.

In fact, Rozenstruik (10-1) is ready to do it all over again should the promotion find an Ngannou rematch relevant in the current heavyweight landscape, though it’s widely-believed “The Predator” is next in line for a division title shot.

“We knew it was a big fight, a big challenge,” Rozenstruik told MMA Junkie. “And it didn’t go my way, but my dream is still alive. I hope he becomes champion. If you ask me to fight him tomorrow, I’d fight him again. I train to fight him again. Respect, it’s all business. I wish him luck, and hopefully I see him around.”

In order for “Bigi Boy” to keep that dream alive he must first prove himself worthy against former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos. “Cigano” meets the Surinamese slugger in the UFC 252 pay-per-view (PPV) event in August.

“No disrespect to Junior, he’s a nice guy,” Rozenstruik continued. “We train at the same gym, and every time I see him he’s always nice. He’s always a good guy, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be business that we have to settle. So I mean, if I get the opportunity, I take it.”

Rozenstruik is currently ranked No. 6 at 265 pounds.