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

#3 Rafael dos Anjos has a metallic jaw

Rafael dos Anjos has a metallic jaw

While it can be said about most MMA fighters that they are "made of steel" because of how strong and hardy they are, but in case of Rafael dos Anjos, it is somewhat true.

During his 2010 bout against Clay Guida, Rafael dos Anjos broke his jaw in the very first minute of the fight. He survived for three more rounds in the fight, but the injury he sustained eventually led to his defeat. In the third round, Rafael dos Anjos was forced to tap out and submit to Clay Guida, as the latter pressed a forearm against his already broken jaw.

Clay Guida with the submission! Rafael dos Anjos may have a broken jaw...#DAMN!

— DJ Genie 🧞‍♂️ (@DJGenie) August 8, 2010

Dos Anjos has screws and titanium plates installed in his jaw ever since, and the UFC lightweight has claimed on multiple occasions that the metal has given him an 'unfair advantage' over other opponents.

In an interview with MMA Junkie ahead of his 2015 bout against Donald Cerrone, Rafael dos Anjos said that two of his opponents since Clay Guida have broken their hands trying to punch his chin area because of the metal - Gleison Tibau and Anthony Njokuani. RDA won both the fights via decision.

"That break happened when we were openly trading during the first minute of our fight. He broke my mandible in two parts, but I kept on fighting. Nowadays, I have 20 screws and four titanium plates. Since then I broke two hands with my chin: (Gleison) Tibau’s and (Anthony) Njokuani’s."

However, despite RDA's claims, it is unlikely that he has metal pieces in his face big enough for someone to break their hands. The screws and plates are medical implants which measure in millimeters - so it is safe to assume that dos Anjos' claims are more of a comforting lie.

#UFCVegas14 After receiving a broken jaw in the Guida fight, Rafael dos Anjos now has a titanium-fused jaw that he claims has broken some hands of later opponents. Dr. Benjamin has disagreed, pointing out that the titanium plate in dos Anjos jaw is measured in millimeters.

— Dabangg Data (@DabanggData) November 10, 2020