Rafael Dos Anjos Wants Fight With ‘Disrespectful’ Conor McGregor
The UFC lightweight division underwent huge change at UFC 185, as Rafael Dos Anjos toppled Anthony Pettis in dominant fashion. The Brazilian snatched the belt with a one-sided five-round beatdown, leaving “Showtime’s” legacy in pieces in the process.
The talk of his last loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov has been amplified since RDA captured the belt, but it hasn’t fallen in deaf ears. The champion spoke to Submission Radio, as transcribed by MMAFighting, in regards to “The Eagle”:
“I don’t want to make any excuses, but I had a couple issues before Khabib’s fight,” said dos Anjos. “No excuses, he did a great job. He did the perfect strategy. He was able to hold me down and keep the pressure. I wasn’t able to defend his takedown, but I’m a different fighter now.”
“At that time I was fighting under a lot of pressure,” said dos Anjos. “I was thinking about my title shot. The next fight will be different. If [Nurmagomedov] beats Cerrone I think he’ll be a different fighter. I’m a complete fighter right now. I’ve got extra confidence.”
Nurmagomedov didn’t only hold Dos Anjos down, he completely dominated him. The fact he was beaten so convincingly raises an obvious question over his legitimacy at the top of the division. It’s likely that if Khabib wasn’t already booked in against Donald Cerrone, he would’ve been fighting RDA next.
The champ then discussed upcoming featherweight title challenger Conor McGregor:
“For sure, it would be great,” said dos Anjos. “Let’s sell this fight. It would be good for both of us. It would be good to get this guy if he becomes the featherweight champion. Why not? Let’s make it happen if the UFC wants it. I never pick fights.”
“[McGregor’s] selling the fight, but in my opinion he’s crossing the line,” said dos Anjos. “He’s done some things where he’s offending Aldo. I think he’s taking advantage because Aldo doesn’t speak english. He’s speaking over him while Aldo is trying to talk. He’s taking advantage of him. You can use many ways to sell the fight, but be respectful.”
“Don’t disrespect your opponent because he’s a martial artist. I’m an old school guy. If the guy steps in the Octagon, he’s a man. He has balls so you have to respect him.”
McGregor will get the chance to back up his talk about Jose Aldo at UFC 189, and he has often spoke about winning belts in two divisions (as he did in Cage Warriors). Perhaps a scrap with the lightweight champion would be logical progression, especially considering the weight that “The Notorious” cuts to make 145 pounds.
Do you think the Brazilian grappler-turned all-rounder would be able to become a two-division champion? A certain Irishman would probably disagree.
