“I believe when I (was scheduled to fight) Conor he was in the best moment of his career, and I was in the best moment of my career,” dos Anjos told MMA Junkie. “I had the belt at the time, and I was feeling pretty confident at that time, and I was in great shape. Definitely, I think I’m a very bad matchup for Conor, especially for my style, my kicks and southpaw stance, my grappling skills, my wrestling skills. But that’s something that passed already. I think with the results of his last fights, I think our paths can cross again, but there’s so many options right now in that division.”
Since they were scheduled to face each other, dos Anjos and McGregor have had very different career arcs. Dos Anjos lost the lightweight title in his next bout to Eddie Alvarez and moved up to welterweight where he spent the last four years excelling, even fighting for an interim title. Meanwhile, McGregor ended up avenging his loss to Diaz and then won the lightweight belt from Alvarez and became the biggest star in the history of MMA. Lately though, things have once again changed for the two as RDA recently made his successful return to the lightweight division and just last month McGregor lost his rematch with Dustin Poirier. Given their respective positions in the division and the history the two have, dos Anjos believes now would be the time to finally make that fight happen.
“I think Conor would be a good fight because even though he’s coming off a loss, he still has a better position on the rankings than I do,” RDA said. “I think he’d be a good option and he draws a lot of attention. It could be a good fight because we already have a history. But like I said, we still have all the good options. The division is crazy. It’s a good mix right now.”
McGregor is currently ranked sixth in the lightweight division with dos Anjos coming in at number seven. However, unfortunately for dos Anjos, McGregor is angling for a trilogy fight with Poirier next, meaning once again dos Anjos could lose out on his “red panty night”. If that’s the case, RDA is fine with that too, saying that anyone above him in the rankings would also make sense as he tries to climb his way back to the belt.
“I think anybody ahead of me in the rankings would be a good fight,” dos Anjos said. “I see Gaethje, he mentioned my name, Oliveira, all these guys, Chandler, even Tony (Ferguson). He’s coming off two losses, but he’s ahead of me in the rankings and could be a good (fight). Tony was a guy that beat me on the follow-up fight when I lost my title. It could be a good way for me to build up, to re-write my history again, and to have that rematch would be cool too.
“So there’s so many options, but I’m pretty much open to fight all these guys. Gaethje, Oliveira, Tony, Chandler, all these guys (and) Conor.”
[h=1]TOP STORIES[/h] Notorious. Conor McGregor breaks down UFC 257 loss, wants trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier for ‘all the marbles’.
Postponed. Marion Reneau tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Macy Chiasson pushed back to Feb. 27.
Committed. Frankie Edgar will never stop gunning for a UFC title: ‘The day that I don’t want to face the best guys, maybe I shouldn’t be fighting’.
Return. Bellator targets April 9 for 2021 return in familiar venue.
Tragic. Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul postponed.
[h=1]VIDEO STEW[/h] The A-Side Live Chat.
Free fight.
Knucklemania Press Conference.
Dan Hardy responds to Stephen A. Smith.
[h=1]SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE[/h] Dustin responds.
You know we are going to do it a 3rd time ?
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 3, 2021
Henry.— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 3, 2021
I’m glad you took my advice @TheNotoriousMMA but all comes down distance recognition. Karate stance for distance with boxing heavy punches. Next time I’m charging you! https://t.co/JjZlZEm4sV
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 4, 2021
Tony picking a fight.— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 4, 2021
All You Do Is Bitch Out. You Don’t Want No Squabbles From A Real Fighter. 170lbs or 155lbs... SitDown & STFU Casual. -CSO- pic.twitter.com/rWtipz07HI
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 4, 2021
Nick looking fit.— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) February 4, 2021
Fight.
10 MORE DAYS TILL I GET TO RUMBLE!!! #UFC258 #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/LuW8lgCK1O
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 3, 2021
Hype man.— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 3, 2021
If this doesn’t get you pumped up to watch two dudes scrap I don’t know what will. One is a friend. The other is a friend and teammate. I’ll be tuned and and on the edge of my seat for #ufc258 see you there! #ufc https://t.co/LG97SMr8aw
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 3, 2021
Clarification.— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 3, 2021
No after I beat up @jakepaul I will not box @FloydMayweather , that is shenanigans
— Funky (@Benaskren) February 4, 2021
Stipe simultaneously looking better and worse.— Funky (@Benaskren) February 4, 2021
03.27.21 #theredemption pic.twitter.com/z4x3Yw8cRS
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 3, 2021
This is . . . just ouch.— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) February 3, 2021
Bisping going back to his roots.
[h=1]FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS[/h] Marion Reneau (9-6-1) vs. Macy Chiasson (6-1); UFC Vegas 20, Feb. 27.
Emily Whitmire (4-4) vs. Sam Hughes (5-2); UFC Vegas 20, Feb. 27.
Arnold Allen (16-1) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (11-1); UFC Fight Night, Apr. 10.
Tracy Cortez (9-1) vs. Justine Kish (7-3); UFC Fight Night, Apr. 17.
Damon Jackson (18-4-1) vs. T.J. Laramie (12-4); UFC Fight Night, May. 1.
[h=1]FINAL THOUGHTS[/h] I’m not a finance guy, but this seems like it’s pretty bad for ONE Championship.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
[h=1]EXIT POLL[/h]
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
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