Tag: Rafael Dos Anjos

Rafael dos Anjos Speaks On UFC 308 Injury: ‘Not How I Wanted To Spend My 40th Birthday…’

The welterweight return and 40th birthday of UFC veteran Rafael Dos Anjos did no go to plan at UFC 308 this past Saturday night. His bout with the #10-ranked Geoff Neal came to an end in just 90 seconds after “RDA” suffered a knee injury that he couldn’t continue from. Neal started the fight incredibly […]

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The welterweight return and 40th birthday of UFC veteran Rafael Dos Anjos did no go to plan at UFC 308 this past Saturday night. His bout with the #10-ranked Geoff Neal came to an end in just 90 seconds after “RDA” suffered a knee injury that he couldn’t continue from.

Neal started the fight incredibly well and was able to drop Dos Anjos early on in the fight. Unfortunately, the second time that the former lightweight champion went down, it was the end of the fight due to an injury which isn’t how anyone would’ve wanted the fight to go.

Despite this, Dos Anjos appears to be in good spirits as evident from his first social media post after the injury. Following consecutive losses to Vicente Luque and Mateusz Gamrot, the Brazilian was hoping to kick off another run at 170-pounds in this fight.

He’ll now be resting up before returning to the drawing board but given everything that he has been through in his career, the 49-fight warrior promises to be back once again.

He posted on Instagram to thank people for their support and tell them that he’s doing okay and is focused on making a return once he’s healthy again.

“Thank you all fight fans for the support, sorry I let you guys down. Definitely it was not how I want to celebrate my 40th birthday, it was a tough loss. During my whole UFC career it’s my second time been hospitalized after a fight, it make me feel blessed, it could been worse, it’s a tough game. Time to heal up, enjoy the family. I’m not done yet, I’ll be back soon. God bless you all. I’ll keep you guys updated on my stories.”

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Rafael dos Anjos Happy With Welterweight Return At UFC 308 After Mammoth 30-Pound Fight Week Cut

Former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos is back up at welterweight this weekend when he faces Geoff Neal at UFC 308. After initially making the move up to 170-pounds back in 2017, “RDA” has returned to 155 on several occasions but that appears to have come to an end. At UFC 299 earlier this year, […]

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Former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos is back up at welterweight this weekend when he faces Geoff Neal at UFC 308. After initially making the move up to 170-pounds back in 2017, “RDA” has returned to 155 on several occasions but that appears to have come to an end.

At UFC 299 earlier this year, Dos Anjos faced Mateusz Gamrot in a fight that could have propelled him up the lightweight rankings with a win. Considering the stakes that were hanging in the balance, the Brazilian said in a recent interview with Home of Fight that it made sense to take.

After coming up short against Gamrot, Dos Anjos intends on spending the rest of his days in the UFC as a certified welterweight. When he first went up a weight class, it was due to the brutal weight cuts that he was having to go through in order to hit 155-pounds.

During the interview, the former champ revealed that he was having to cut nearly 30 pounds earlier this year in Miami in order to fight in his former division once again.

Securing a win over the #10-ranked Neal in Abu Dhabi this weekend will be the justification that Dos Anjos needs in order to remain at welterweight.

“Just try to make weight is hell man. I’m 195 right now three weeks away from the fight and I’m in good shape, you know. I’m not in a bad shape and I’m not fat, I’m in a good shape and it’s just too hard man. My last lightweight camp, the whole camp like even on the fight week, I was 185, I couldn’t get below that. The lightest that I got during the fight camp was 184 and man, I’m 39-years old, I have the title before and that’s not what I want for my life.”

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Rafael dos Anjos: Islam Makhachev Is Too Small To Beat Leon Edwards For Second UFC Title

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos doubts Islam Makhachev’s chances of achieving two-division glory. Makhachev has cemented himself as the 155-pound kingpin with three defenses since completing his long laud out path to the throne formerly occupied by his friend and mentor, the great Khabib Nurmagomedov. After submitting Charles Oliveira to win the gold […]

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Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos doubts Islam Makhachev’s chances of achieving two-division glory.

Makhachev has cemented himself as the 155-pound kingpin with three defenses since completing his long laud out path to the throne formerly occupied by his friend and mentor, the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

After submitting Charles Oliveira to win the gold in 2022, Makhachev went on to defeat then-featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in a pair of contests last year, before most recently stalling Dustin Poirier’s late-career title ambitions.

With his latest triumph at UFC 302, talk of the Dagestani surpassing “The Eagle’s” legacy and career on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage has increased. Many have pointed to a possible weight change as one factor that could move Makhachev into prime position to be the lightweight GOAT.

But although the reigning titleholder has frequently expressed his plans to move up, one of Makhachev’s peers doesn’t see him getting the better of the champ above…

‘RDA’ Dismisses Makhachev’s Chances Of Beating Edwards

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rafael dos Anjos was asked for his take on Makhachev’s welterweight ambitions.

The Dagestani looks set to be tasked with at least one more assignment at 155 pounds in the form of Arman Tsarukyan before looking to join the ‘champ-champ’ club.

But should Makhachev get the better of the Russian-Armenian again and earn a shot at Leon Edwards, “RDA” doesn’t expect him to have the size and physicality to dethrone “Rocky.”

“I remember when I moved up, I fought all the contenders. … When you move up and go straight for the title, of course you have a bigger chance to become champion,” dos Anjos said. “But I don’t think Islam — he’s got very good momentum right now, but I don’t think he could beat Leon Edwards and become a double champion.

“I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.””I just think the size difference — Leon is a much bigger guy. And we saw smaller guys like Poirier giving Islam a lot of trouble,” dos Anjos continued. “Poirier, man, he’s very tough, but he used to fight at 145 (pounds) and he gave Islam a hard fight.”

Before potentially getting the chance to prove the Brazilian wrong, Makhachev must further cement his grip on the lightweight crown.

In addition to Tsarukyan likely being next in line should he complete the requirements to reduce his suspension to six months, Charles Oliveira has also reiterated his plan to work his way to a second dance with Makhachev, while Michael Chandler claims to have been offered a title opportunity.

Edwards, meanwhile, is next tasked with defending his welterweight strap in a rematch against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in Manchester this month.

Beyond that, the Brit isn’t short on potential challengers, with the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and Ian Garry all waiting in the wings as first-time matchups.

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Ex-UFC champ Rafael dos Anjos absolutely shreds Michael Chandler on social media amid title rumors

Ex-UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos absolutely shreds Michael Chandler on X amid title talksRafael dos Anjos has grown tired of Michael Chandler’s “see you at the top” mantra that often accompanies the…

Ex-UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos absolutely shreds Michael Chandler on X amid title talks

Rafael dos Anjos has grown tired of Michael Chandler’s “see you at the top” mantra that often accompanies the former Bellator MMA champion’s social media posts.

It’s been nearly two years since we last saw Chandler step inside the Octagon at UFC 281, suffering a third-round rear-naked choke submission at the hands of Dustin Poirier. With the loss, ‘Iron’ fell to 2-3 inside the Octagon. Still, Chandler remains one of the promotion’s top stars courtesy of his balls-to-the-wall style that has delivered a slew of absolute barnburners against the likes of Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Tony Ferguson.

Currently, Chandler is sitting on the sidelines waiting for Conor McGregor to heal up from a toe injury before rebooking their long-awaited clash inside the Octagon. No official announcements have been made regarding a rescheduled date, but Chandler revealed on X that he had been offered a fight with reigning lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev in October when the promotion heads back to Abu Dhabi — should McGregor not be ready by then.

However, Chandler made it clear that a fight with the Irish megastar would take precedence over fighting for the belt.

Rafael dos Anjos

“I’ve been offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere,” Chandler wrote. “Biggest sporting event in history of sports!!!!”

That didn’t sit well with dos Anjos, who suggested that Chandler discontinue his “see you at the top” branding if he’s not actually striving to make it there.

Rafael dos Anjos

“How much is the opportunity to become a world champion worth? For some of us, there is no price on an UFC belt,” dos Anjos posted. “Mine is certainly not for sale. Chandler should stop his “see you at the top” motivational speeches. It’s embarrassing…”

Chandler responds before getting absolutely shredded by rafael dos anjos

Chandler responded to the jibe from RDA in short order, hitting the former 155-pound champ with his new favorite catchphrase.

Rafael dos Anjos

“Cool story….See you at the top!!!!” Chandler responded.

Dos Anjos snapped back in short order, reminding ‘Iron’ just who the hell he’s talking to.

Rafael dos Anjos

“I’ve been up here buddy, haven’t seen you yet,” RDA added.

Clearly, there is no love lost between the two well-respected veterans. Perhaps one day they can settle their differences inside the Octagon.

Rafael dos Anjos mocks Conor McGregor after UFC 303 fight exit: ‘It’s just a bruise, take some Ibuprofen’

Rafael dos Anjos mocks Conor McGregor after UFC 303 injury it's only a bruise take some ibuprofenFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has hit out at Conor McGregor – eight years on from their…

Rafael dos Anjos mocks Conor McGregor after UFC 303 injury it's only a bruise take some ibuprofen

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has hit out at Conor McGregor – eight years on from their failed title fight at 155lbs, mocking the Dubliner after injury ruled him from a UFC 303 return against Michael Chandler later this month.

dos Anjos, a former undisputed lightweight champion and current welterweight contender, has been sidelined since UFC 299 back in March, suffering a unanimous decision defeat against Polish contender, Mateusz Gamrot.

Rafael dos Anjos shuts door on 155lbs future eyes July return to UFC at welterweight
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As for McGregor, the former two-division champion was forced to exit his UFC 303 return during International Fight Week later this month, after suffering an undisclosed injury – which is expected to sideline him for at least two months. 

Conor McGregor releases statement after UFC 303 fight withdrawal I'm confident I'll be back

“Very tough to be ruled out of my scheduled return bout,” Conor McGregor posted on his official Instagram account. “I picked up an injury prior to the press conference that required more time than was available to me. The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team.”

“My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we weill get there!” Conor McGregor continued. “Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”

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Rafael dos Anjos pokes fun at Conor McGregor

And poking fun at long-time rival, McGregor on social media, Niteroi veteran, dos Anjos questioned the legitimacy of the Dubliner’s injury.

“It’s just a bruise, take some Ibruprofen,” Rafael dos Anjos posted on his official X account. 

Slated to fight McGregor back in 2016 at UFC 196, then-lightweight champion, dos Anjos suffered a fractured metatarsal just two weeks out from his fight with the former, ruling him from the pair’s championship showdown.

Do you think Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor will ever settle their differences?

Ex-Champion Rafael dos Anjos slams door on 155lbs future, eyes July fight in welterweight return

Rafael dos Anjos shuts door on 155lbs future eyes July return to UFC at welterweightFormer undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has shut the proverbial door on his future in the division –…

Rafael dos Anjos shuts door on 155lbs future eyes July return to UFC at welterweight

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos has shut the proverbial door on his future in the division – urging the promotion to remove him from the official rankings, as he hopes to secure a July comeback to the Octagon in a return to the welterweight limit.

dos Anjos, the current number fourteenth ranked lightweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured at UFC 299 earlier this year, dropping a decision defeat to surging contender, Mateusz Gamrot in Miami.

Rafael Dos Anjos

The outing came as the Brazilian’s return to the lightweight limit – for the second time since a divisional debut at welterweight back in 2017 – having previously dropped a decision loss to compatriot, Vicente Luque at 170lbs last August.

Rafael dos Anjos shuts door on lightweight future

And matched with perennial contenders and up-and-coming stars at the lightweight limit in recent years since his flip-flopping from welterweight, Niteroi native, dos Anjos has urged the promotion to stop booking him at lightweight, as he explores a July return at 170lbs.

Rafael dos Anjos takes aim at BMF title and it's competitors I won the undisputed belt
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports

“Get me out of LW rankings,” Rafael dos Anjos posted on his official X account. “For you LW out there calling me out I don’t compete at LW now on. I have nothing to prove to nothing, I walk around 195 at 39 years old. There’s lots of fights that make sense to me at 170. I want to fight in July @ufc get me back in that Octagon.” 

Without a victory since his submission win over Bryan Barberena two years ago at the welterweight limit, dos Anjos, who struck gold with a dominant win over Anthony Pettis back in 2015, has turned in victories over Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Magny, Robbie Lawler, and Kevin Lee to boot at 170lbs.

Rafael dos Anjos books UFC headliner against Vicente Luque in July
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports

Who would you like to see Rafael dos Anjos fight in his summer return?