Reigning UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was scheduled to defend his title against featherweight kingpin Conor McGregor last weekend, but he ended up being forced out of the bout with a broken foot.
While dos Anjos has been criticized, mainly by McGregor, for his injury, the Brazilian notes that it’s the first time he’s ever pulled out of a fight due to an injury. He also admitted that he missed out on a huge payday, but that he sees a bright future ahead:
“I’ve been around the game for a long time, 12 years, and I never cancelled any fight due to injury,” dos Anjos said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I always show up, but unfortunately for this fight, I broke my foot, man. A lot of people are making fun of it, and I don’t like to make fun of people’s injuries. I think we are fighters, so everybody is going to get injured one day. So, unfortunately I lost my payday, but I think everything is God’s plan for my life. I believe in that.”
With McGregor losing to late replacement opponent Nate Diaz, a super fight between he and dos Anjos is likely off of the table for now. That being said, the Brazilian claimed that he never feared the Irishman, also saying that he hopes to return at UFC 200 this summer:
“It’s hard, but man, they’re all haters,” dos Anjos said. “I’m not giving anything for the haters. There’s always going to be people there talking crap, but I have my fans who believe in me. And man, who is this guy for me to be afraid of him? I’ve beaten better guys before. Man, I don’t fear nobody but God. But this guy, it’s been hard because I’m very active and I’m [peaking] right now, so I’m ready to fight right now but I have my foot injury. So I have a lot of energy, I want to do stuff, but I can’t yet. But it’s fine. I’m going to be back in four or five weeks. I’m up for UFC 200.”
As far as who he would like to fight, dos Anjos even went as far to say that he would be willing to move up and challenge welterweight boss Robbie Lawler, a move McGregor had spoken often on:
“I don’t know the UFC’s plans, but I’m here, man,” dos Anjos said. “I’m here to fight anybody. I’ll fight welterweight too, if they need.
“I respect Robbie Lawler, but if UFC needs somebody to fight for the welterweight (title), I would fight.”
Would you be interested in seeing Lawler vs. dos Anjos at UFC 200 in Las Vegas?
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