Junior dos Santos Inks Nike Sponsorship; Heavyweight Champ Joins Anderson Silva, Jon Jones

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UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos is the new star of Nike’s Brazilian team.

The 28-year-old “Cigano” now stands alongside the likes of middleweight champion Anderson Silva and light heavyweight titlist Jon Jones as the latest UFC athlete to ink a sponsorship deal with the international sports apparel giant. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Junior Cigano is a top athlete, and to have him on the Nike team is an honor,” said Luís Alexandre, director of sports marketing for Nike Brazil. “The information we receive from athletes is the vector of innovation at Nike. A top athlete is never satisfied. He always wants more: more wins, more titles, better products. This is the energy that moves the brand.”

Dos Santos, who is also sponsored by Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, returns to the Octagon in December to defend his belt against former champion Cain Velasquez at UFC 155 in Las Vegas. The Brazilian last competed on May 26 at UFC 146, where he defended his title for the first time by knocking out another ex-champ in Frank Mir. Known for his punching power and boxing skills, dos Santos has lost just once during his six-year pro career and owns 11 of his 15 victories by way of knockout.