Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has announced that he’s going to step up to the UFC’s welterweight division.
RDA has had a disappointing 2016 campaign, first losing his title to Eddie Alvarez by TKO in the first round back in July and then coming up on the wrong end of a decision against Tony Ferguson, but the 32 year-old is pointing to issues with cutting weight as the real reason he’s moving up to 170lbs.
“I achieved everything I had to achieve at lightweight,” Dos Anjos told Combate. “Besides, it has been really hard to make weight. I fought five times between 2014 and 2015 and my body changed a bit during that title run. When I defended my belt against Donald Cerrone, I felt my body had changed. Against Eddie Alvarez was even worse and against Tony Ferguson was even harder. So I decided to start 2017 with new challenges and I think I’ll fight happier in that division because it’s almost 15 fewer pounds I’ll have to lose.”
RDA is the latest in a growing trend that’s seen lightweight fighters try their hand at welterweight, including the likes of Donald Cerrone, Jorge Masvidal, Alex Oliveira and Ross Pearson, with varying degrees of success.
