Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is once again trying to settle the score with Conor McGregor inside of the cage, but may be fighting an uphill battle considering “Notorious” just announced his retirement.
Still, McGregor’s third walk away from the sport isn’t stopping RDA from reaching out to the masses and trying to schedule a bout with the most popular fighter in MMA. As a matter of fact, dos Anjos is open to fighting McGregor at three different weight classes. Whatever it takes to land his chance to finally get his hands on “Notorious.”
Here is what RDA had to say in a recent Twitter message:
Let’s do it @TheNotoriousMMA if you’re looking for a fight I’m the guy. 155,165 or 170 you know I’m always game. Fuck this retirement shit. @danawhite @seanshelby @ChaelSonnen @ufc
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 12, 2020
“Let’s do it @TheNotoriousMMA if you’re looking for a fight I’m the guy. 155, 165 or 170 you know I’m always game. Fuck this retirement shit,” wrote dos Anjos.
In case you forgot, dos Anjos was expected to fight McGregor all the way back at UFC 196 in 2016 but ended up pulling out due to an injured foot. The two stars have been bickering back-and-forth ever since but have yet to meet inside of the cage. Maybe RDA is hoping to goad McGregor out of retirement for a matchup that could still sell.
It can still sell, right?
In addition to calling McGregor out, dos Anjos also took a shot at Nate Diaz after the Stockton native made comments about the upcoming welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. Remember, Diaz filled in for RDA at UFC 196 and created one of the biggest rivalries in MMA history after choking out “Notorious” in the second round.
And @NateDiaz209 stop bragging of how much money you make, don’t forget where you came from. You got big money fight because I got hurt.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 13, 2020
“And @NateDiaz209 stop bragging of how much money you make, don’t forget where you came from. You got big money fight because I got hurt,” added dos Anjos.
While UFC would rather keep McGregor shelved for a future lightweight title shot against the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje later this year, it would be interesting to see “Notorious” clash with RDA this time around. Both have shown success at 170 pounds and a loss at that weight wouldn’t really hurt McGregor’s current spot in line at 155 pounds.
What do you think, Maniacs? Is McGregor vs. dos Anjos a matchup to make or is RDA grasping for straws?
Let’s hear it!