dos Anjos: To be honest, I don’t think Chandler deserves the fight.
Follow Us
As the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter approaches its conclusion, with top lightweight contender Michael Chandler and former two-division champion Conor McGregor coaching, the anticipated coaches’ fight looms. However, former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is skeptical about the matchup between Chandler and McGregor.
McGregor, after his departure in 2022, is not yet eligible to compete until he completes six months of clean testing results under the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This requirement sets the stage for a potential clash with Chandler, contingent on McGregor’s re-entry into the testing pool.
Despite the stipulations, dos Anjos, initially slated to face McGregor in a champion vs. champion bout in 2016, questions the inclusion of Chandler in the scenario. Dos Anjos believes that other fighters deserve the opportunity more than Chandler does.
While dos Anjos acknowledges that the matchup makes sense due to the context of The Ultimate Fighter series, he voices his opinion that there are more deserving contenders. Dos Anjos proposes that fighters with a history of taking on tough opponents, like Justin Gaethje, would be a better fit for McGregor.
Gaethje’s recent victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, which earned him the “BMF” title, caught McGregor’s attention, resulting in a call-out by the Irish fighter.
Dos Anjos, himself a former lightweight champion, is candid about his own prospects in the BMF title picture. He states that his championship history disqualifies him from competing for the BMF belt, which typically goes to fighters who have not held a championship before.
As dos Anjos, 38, prepares to face Vicente Luque in the UFC Vegas 78 main event, he reflects on his career trajectory. Bouncing between lightweight and welterweight divisions in recent years, dos Anjos intends to stay at welterweight for the remainder of his career due to his comfort in the weight class.
Although dos Anjos acknowledges that moving back to lightweight for a lucrative superfight could be tempting, he sees the welterweight division as a more suitable long-term option. He aims to continue winning fights, understanding that opportunities can arise unexpectedly in the ever-changing landscape of mixed martial arts.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: UFC 291: Preview, Prediction, Fight Card, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets
Read: UFC 291 results: Justin Gaethje claims BMF title with stunning knockout victory Over Dustin Poirier
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
Stephen Thompson declines the quick turnaround fight and wants Usman next.
