Rafael Dos Anjos Wants ‘Big Money’ Title Fight With Georges St-Pierre
UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is all set to make his second career 155-pound title defense, when he headlines UFC Fight Night 90 against No. 2-ranked Eddie Alvarez.
In a recent conference call ahead of his clash with Alvarez next week, courtesy of MMA Fighting, the surging Brazilian champ was asked of a possible matchup with the returning mixed martial arts (MMA) icon Georges St-Pierre.
St-Pierre recently claimed that he could ‘easily’ make 155-pounds in an Octagon return, setting up a possible super-fight with dos Anjos in the near future:
“I’m a big fan of Georges St-Pierre,” dos Anjos said. “For me it would be great to fight against my idol. Of course, man.
It’s a new challenger. It’s a big money fight, too. Of course, if he can make it (to lightweight), I’m here, man. I’ll have the belt.”
While money would be a huge motivating factor for a possible contest against the Canadian legend, dos Anjos remained adamant that his love for the sport is what motivates him in his combat career, not the financial benefits:
“A lot of people talk about that, about money, money, money” dos Anjos said. “Everybody likes money. I like money. But I don’t love money.
You know, I don’t love money. I fight because I like challenges. I like my life. I like competing, but it’s not just because of the money.”
St-Pierre’s debut in the lightweight division would no doubt be against the champion, so if ‘RDA’ wants to be the man to welcome ‘GSP’ to the talent stacked 155-pound division, he must first get through a very game Alvarez in ‘Sin City’:
“I just feel I have more weapons to win this fight,” dos Anjos said. “My stand-up is better. My wrestling is better. My ground game is better.
Eddie Alvarez, man, he’s a tough guy. He’s been in the game for a long time and he’s the only guy in the line now, he’s the next challenger.
I’m just going to go there and prove to the world, prove to myself, and show everybody how I work with my team. This victory is for my team, my friends, and just show everybody that I’m the champion and I’m going to be with this belt for a long [time].”
Dos Anjos has amassed a tremendously impressive track record throughout his eight-year UFC career, owning victories over the likes of Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, Benson Henderson, and former lightweight champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis.
‘RDA’s’ extensive experience with the upper echelon that the 155-pound class has to offer has given the Brazilian a tremendous amount of confidence up to this point in his career, and he firmly believes he will emerge victorious when it’s all said and done in Vegas:
“Cerrone was also very durable,” dos Anjos said. “Ben Henderson, he had never been knocked out before fighting me. Man, I’m just excited. It’ll be a great fight.
Eddie, the guy walks forward. He likes to fight violent, he likes to walk forward. That’s my style too and it’s going to be a great fight, but I have no doubts that I’m going to leave the arena with my belt back home.”
UFC Fight Night 90 takes place live on UFC Fight Pass, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 7, 2016.
