Rafael Dos Anjos Lists Potential Opponents For Potential Last UFC Fight
Rafael dos Anjos has been a staple on the UFC roster for almost 12 years. The crafty veteran fist appeared at UFC 91 and went on to become the lightweight champion, when he defeated Anthony Pettis at UFC 185 in 2015.
Unfortunately, RDA has lost his last two fights and is now due to enter the final fight of his current UFC contract. The Brazilian has continued to train hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been accompanied by the likes of Jason Parillo and Beniel Dariush, at his home gym in San Jose, California.
RDA: ‘I Want To Fight’
Dos Anjos is currently re-negotiating a new UFC contract, but for now he told MMA Fighting that he is just keen to find an opponent to end four months of inactivity.
“I want to fight. I fought in January, so June or July would be good dates. I’m going for the last fight in my contract with the UFC, so we have to see if the UFC wants to re-sign me. It’s a bunch of things.”
RDA made the move up to welterweight in 2017 and has gone 4-4 since. He is currently ranked ninth in the division and after An extensive career with the UFC, the 35 year old fighter had nothing but kind words to say about his long-time employer.
A True Veteran Of The Sport
“I’m in the UFC for many years, since 2008, and the UFC is a very solid company. I have a great relationship with Dana White, I have almost 30 fights in the organisation, and I would like to re-sign with the UFC. That’s what I want, but it’s not only up to me, it’s up to them as well, if they want to re-sign me.”
As for future opponents, dos Anjos revealed that he’d be happy to accept bouts with fighter such as Anthony Pettis, Stephen Thompson and Santiago Ponzinibbio.
“I thought about Pettis because he once said, after a victory, that he was interested in fighting me at 170. Since he fought (‘Cowboy’) Cerrone at welterweight, I think this could be the fight.”
Ponzinibbio Rumours
In the last year, Ponzinibbio has accused dos Anjos of ducking him. A claim that RDA was quick to shoot down.
“Man, Ponzinibbio is crazy. [The UFC] hasn’t said anything. This guy hasn’t fought in a year and a half. F***, I fought [four] times since his last fight. I have no problem fighting him, but, brother, no one told me anything. He throws some crazy stuff online, it’s hard to understand. But I have no problem fighting Ponzinibbio.
“I’m in a situation that I can’t call anyone out. I’m coming off a loss and I know that’s in the past and I will bounce back, but what the UFC offers me, something that makes sense… I think Pettis would make sense for the history. The market is starting to move now. Stephen Thompson and I, there was some talk in the past, so I think that could be the fight. The division is very jammed, let’s see how it plays out.”
RDA, who currently weighs 187lbs, made it clear that a cut back down to 155lbs would be both time consuming and financially damaging.
“I was doing some tests, but, man, I’m not going down to 155. That was an idea, a possible… In order for me to go to 155, I would need at least four months’ notice before a fight, and it would have to be a fight that is really worth it financially. For the money I make today, a normal purse, the toll on my body isn’t worth it. But for a great money, one that changes your life completely, I would do that sacrifice on three or four months’ notice. But not now.”
Who would you like to see Rafael dos Anjos fight next?
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