When Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of his UFC 196 bout with Conor McGregor due to a broken foot, he might have missed the biggest payday of his career. But the UFC lightweight champion obviously doesn’t mourn after the lost opportunity.
“I don’t need to fight him to change my life,” Dos Anjos told Ariel Helwani during Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. “I think my life will keep on going, and I think I have a lot more challenges in my weight division. I think he doesn’t deserve a fight at 155 pounds. He was just submitted by the No. 5 ranked (fighter) with 10 days’ notice.”
When dos Anjos plulled out ten days before the fight, Nate Diaz took his place, beat McGregor and made “millions of dollars” in the process, according to UFC president Dana White. McGregor will likely return back to the 145-pound division now, where he still holds the title. This makes a fight versus dos Anjos an unlikely option in the foreseeable future.
The injured Brazilian explained that he will return back to training in about five weeks and eyes a spot at UFC 200, in what would presumably be the biggest UFC event ever. Instead of fighting McGregor though, he already has another superfight in mind.
“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.”
UFC 200 will take place July 9 at the newly-built T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. No bouts have been announced for the card so far.
Transcription via MMA Fighting.