5 things you didn't know about former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos

#4 Rafael dos Anjos was stuck in Germany for many months

Rafael dos Anjos

Right after receiving his first degree black belt, Rafael dos Anjos took a huge risk and went all the way to Germany for the European Championship. It sounded like a great opportunity to a young up-and-coming dos Anjos, but the reality was quite different.

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos successfully returned to the division he once ruled 👑 #UFCVegas14 pic.twitter.com/oqzbZjqHLJ

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 15, 2020

Rafael dos Anjos revealed in later interviews (via MMA Fighting) that he had only 300 Euros in his pocket, which was barely enough for a week in Europe. But he had to stay for much longer. So he had to work and earn money alongside participating in the Championship.

Having to work for survival cost him time and energy for his training.

"I had just got my black belt and was completely broke. It was tough. I had to make some money to survive. I was going to compete at the European Championship and ended up staying there for six months. I started teaching jiu-jitsu, but didn’t have any time to train myself."

On top of that, the weather and difference of language made things worse. For someone born and brought up in Brazil, Germany can feel extremely cold. Moreover, RDA did not even know English properly, let alone speak German. He had to communicate with signs and gestures.

After six months in such adverse conditions, Rafael dos Anjos moved back to Brazil and shifted to Rio de Janeiro, where he started training MMA at Gracie Barra for the first time.

47-4850-4550-45Back to lightweight and back in the win column! 🙌Rafael dos Anjos put on a dominant performance and scores a split decision victory at #UFCVegas14 👏 pic.twitter.com/JSIxJb49QL

— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) November 15, 2020