Dos Anjos Still Wants McGregor Fight After Decade

Rafael dos Anjos still wants to fight Conor McGregor a decade after their scheduled 2016 title bout fell apart, but the Brazilian veteran says he won't waste his career waiting for the Irishman.

Dos Anjos was set to defend his lightweight championship against McGregor at UFC 196 before the bout was canceled due to a broken foot. The title eventually passed to Eddie Alvarez, who knocked out dos Anjos in the first round before losing the belt to McGregor later that year.

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"That would be awesome," dos Anjos told Jose Youngs of MMA Fighting. "It's not about money, my life went on, I'm not going to do like Michael Chandler and sit on the sidelines for two years waiting for a fight that never happens."

Dos Anjos Faces Hernandez At UFC 332

The former champion said he considered waiting for McGregor instead of taking the Alvarez fight in 2016, but chose to defend his title rather than hope the stars would align. He remains open to the matchup if the timing works, telling MMA Fighting that if God decides it's his time, that would be great.

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Dos Anjos meets Alexander Hernandez on Saturday's UFC 332 prelims carrying a three-fight skid and a 1-4 record in his last five outings. McGregor is recovering from knee surgery after his UFC 329 loss to Max Holloway and is not expected back until at least summer 2027.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Rafael dos Anjos still wants Conor McGregor fight, but insists it’s not about money: “My life went on”