Former Lightweight Champ Rafael Dos Anjos Moving To Welterweight

If we really think about, the writing was on the wall for former light heavyweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Dropping 2 of his last fights and being unresponsive for 3 minutes during his weight cut for the Eddie Alvarez fight, 2016 was not exactly a good year for the 32 year old Brazilian.

The post Former Lightweight Champ Rafael Dos Anjos Moving To Welterweight appeared first on Cagepotato.

 

“I am not surprised…”

If we really think about, the writing was on the wall for former light heavyweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Dropping 2 of his last fights and being unresponsive for 3 minutes during his weight cut for the Eddie Alvarez fight, 2016 was not exactly a good year for the 32 year old Brazilian.

It seems that after winning the belt against Anthony Pettis back at UFC 185 of March 2015, both fighters have gone on a downward trajectory. With Pettis dropping 4 out of his last 5 and eventually dropping to the 145lb featherweight class, and RDA now going up a weight class, both fighters are in potential limbo. Not to mention the McGregor payday he had to bow out of due to a broken foot at UFC 196

Dos Anjos dropped the bomb on the general public through a post on his twitter account. He also put up a clarifying statement on facebook.

“I reached the top of the the toughest division in the UFC, made history by being the first Brazilian to become lightweight champion,” Dos Anjos posted on his facebook page. “It hasn’t been easy to make the weight and now I want to fight with my best and reach the top of the welterweight division. Making weight happy in 2017, being happy while getting a fight booked will make a big difference.

“And about going back to lightweight again… only for a super fight and big money.”

How exactly will Rafael Dos Anjos do at Welterweight? No one knows for sure, but at 5’8″ with a 70″ reach, he certainly won’t have any size advantages. Ben Henderson did it temporarily, and Cowboy seems to be having success, so it will be interesting to see how different Dos Anjos looks at a more natural weight class. Speaking of Cowboy, Dos Anjos vs. Cowboy III anyone?

Let us know what you think about the move in the comments section below. Is this a good look, or Dos Anjos be returning again in the near future?

Lionel Harris-Spence is a writer, filmmaker, and functioning alcoholic. You can catch him screaming obscenities at flat screens on fight night.

The post Former Lightweight Champ Rafael Dos Anjos Moving To Welterweight appeared first on Cagepotato.