Rafael dos Anjos was forced to withdraw from his UFC 196 main event against Conor McGregor back in March 2016, thanks to a broken foot (or sore toe, depending on who you ask) that sidelined the Brazilian for several months, paving the way for Nate Diaz to step in and turn the combat sports world upside down.
“Did you see it? It’s a bruise,” McGregor told the media after news broke that Dos Anjos was injured. “Ice, ibuprofen. If I jumped under an x-ray, the doctor would slap me and say what are you doing kid? Get out of here.”
McGregor must be sponsored by Advil with how often he mentions ibuprofen.
Fast forward to June 2024 and McGregor is the one pulling out. “Notorious” recently bailed on his UFC 303 headliner opposite Michael Chandler because of his (cough) “injury” that is apparently so minor, there was even talk of having the former champ return in July.
Maybe it was just a bruise that needed some ibuprofen?
It’s just a bruise, take some ibuprofen. https://t.co/HknKEkvTD6
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 15, 2024
Better late than never, I suppose.
The Brazilian’s eight-year insult shatters the record previously set by Jeremy Stephens, who needed a full year to get his press conference revenge on McGregor. It was certainly worth the wait, as “Lil’ Heathen” scored one of the best tweets of the year, thanks to this surprise cameo.
McGregor’s return date has yet to be determined.