Rafael dos Anjos makes his case for Conor McGregor fight, explains why Michael Chandler will not be in contention

Rafael dos Anjos has made it clear that he wants to fight Conor McGregor when he returns to the octagon.

While speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, dos Anjos made his case for why he should be McGregor's next opponent and why the fight should be contested at welterweight:

"Putting myself in his [McGregor's] shoes, who's he going to fight? Going to fight Poirier again for the fourth time? Going to fight Michael Chandler, that's not even in the same division he wants to fight? Looks like he's juiced up, he's not going to fight at 155[lbs] anymore, he's going to fight at 170[lbs]."

'RDA' mentioned that they have history with each other and that it's time to revisit it to sell the fight. The former UFC lightweight champion has done well fighting at both 155lbs and 170lbs and added that Michael Chandler's losses could take him out of the mix to earn a lucrative fight with the Irish superstar. The Brazilian added:

"Without disrespect to Michael Chandler, he's been put on great fights but he's been losing a lot. And, we'll see. I think we [RDA and McGregor] have history. We supposed to fight two or three times already and let's go man. Let's bring the bad blood again, it would be a fun fight."

Rafael dos Anjos is confident that he has done enough to remain in prime position to get a fight with 'The Notorious', especially considering he has proved he can hold his own at welterweight as he has a 5-4 record competing at 170lbs. He has fought a who's who at welterweight including Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Robbie Lawler, and reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

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Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor have a long history

Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor have a long history with each other. Their rivalry dates back to 2016.

Their first interaction took place during the UFC Go Big press conference, which saw McGregor trash talk many of the fighters on stage and provided some of his most memorable soundbites:

"I can make you rich, I change your bum life... When you sign to fight me it's a celebration. You ring back home, you ring your wife, 'Baby, we done it. We're rich baby. Conor McGregor made us rich, break out the red panties.' So don't say you would not take that fight because you would take that fight like everyone else up here would take the fight against me if it was offered."

Watch the memorable presser below:

Conor McGregor, the then-featherweight champion, was scheduled to move up to 155lbs and challenge 'RDA' for the lightweight championship at UFC 196. However, it wasn't meant to be as dos Anjos sustained an injury that forced him to withdraw from the fight.

After dos Anjos' injury, Nate Diaz stepped in on short notice to replace the lightweight champion and fought McGregor at welterweight.