UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos (15-1) will be defending his crown against Cain Velasquez (10-1) in what should be a highly competitive rematch at UFC 155 in the MGM Grand on Saturday.

Santos clearly has all the attributes to be one of the faces of mixed martial arts.  However, since Velasquez felt the agony of defeat for the first time in his career against the 28-year-old, he isn't necessarily being considered an underdog in the rematch.

"I don't think I'm wrong, man.  It is a rematch for him," Santos told ESPN.

The two highly skilled combatants last scrapped with one another in Nov. 2011.  However, while Velasquez was KO'd, many are labeling it a mulligan since both competitors had knee injuries at the time. 

Nonetheless, Velasquez is ready to put the past behind him and leave the octagon with a different outcome.

"All that matters is what happens Saturday night," Velasquez said.

While Santos would prefer nothing less than another Velasquez knock out to retain his crown, the champion is well aware that he must execute against his ground attack against a tough opponent.

"For sure he's going to try and take me down, I know that.  Well, I train a lot my takedown defense.  But I train a lot my jiu-jitsu, too.  I'm ready to fight on the ground.  If that happens during the fight, I think I will do very well.  For sure my intention for this fight is to knock him out again."

Even though Velasquez's results weren't to his satisfaction the first time around, his camp's strategy against Santos will not be changing.

"It is a rematch.  We're fighting again.  I've been thinking about it for a year," Velasquez said.

CLICK HERE to watch UFC 155 via free live stream.  Coverage of the fights will begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29.

Tags: UFC