Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos missed out on a huge fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 196 due to a broken foot, and now that the Irishman has been beaten and appears to be retreating back to featherweight it’s possible that he may miss out on that massive payday altogether.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the Brazilian, but instead of sulking he’s now trying to work his way into another potential superfight at UFC 200 instead.
“I don’t know the UFC’s plans, but I’m here, man,” dos Anjos told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour show. “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.”
There had been rumors that if McGregor had defeated Nate Diaz that he’d go on to challenge Lawler for the 170lb strap at UFC 200. If that was the plan it got completely derailed on the night, but UFC president Dana White did indicate afterwards that he now had some interest in the possibility of Diaz fighting the champ.
“You know what would make a lot of sense?” UFC president Dana White told ESPN post-fight. “This isn’t the fight I’m making, I’m just saying, [Diaz] and Robbie Lawler would make a lot of sense.”
For the record, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta also indicated that he liked the idea of that fight too. However, Georges St. Pierre’s coach Firas Zahabi has now indicated that he’s going to speak to his fighter about the possibility of making a comeback against Diaz, so it seems like there’s a whole lot of options on the table right now and so we’ll just have to wait and see which route they eventually decide to go down.
As for Dos Anjos, whatever happens he feels that he’s in a good spot as the current holder of the 155lb title.
““I think my life will keep on going, and I think I have a lot more challenges in my weight division.”
