Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor square off at UFC 197 press conference. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Rafael dos Anjos argues he and Conor McGregor should fight because they’re the only undisputed champions in the running for the UFC lightweight title.
McGregor agrees.
The former two-division champion took to Twitter to answer dos Anjos’ callout after a gutsy win over Paul Felder in the headliner of UFC Vegas 14 on Saturday.
McGregor poked fun at dos Anjos, his would-be opponent at UFC 196, and UFC President Dana White as he welcomed a rebooking against the Brazilian – with one caveat.
Dustin first, but I’m down for it all. Throwback to this classic lol.
Look at Dana hahahah
Vintage MMA entertainment.
El Chap! pic.twitter.com/GiC3yl8HB6— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 15, 2020
McGregor is currently booked to rematch former interim champ Dustin Poirier on Jan. 23. UFC President Dana White has said the bout could take place on Fight Island if all goes as planned.
Poirier takes priority for McGregor after the two agreed on Twitter to a charity MMA fight. Now, they will fight in the octagon following a series of twists and turns that saw McGregor verbally tussle with White before agreeing to the rematch.
Dos Anjos re-established himself as a serious threat on Saturday after four years in the welterweight division, where he went 4-4 and failed to capture the interim title in a bout against Colby Covington.
Against Felder, dos Anjos used a well-rounded attack to shut out his opponent on two of three scorecards. Only a curious 48-47 tally for Felder soured what was a dominant performance.
In his post-fight interview, dos Anjos laid out his case for a fight with McGregor.
“If Khabib is really retired, it will leave the division wide open… I think me and Conor is the fight to make.”@RdosAnjosMMA reiterates his desire to fight @TheNotoriousMMA after returning to lightweight with a win at #UFCVegas14 pic.twitter.com/73Wj03Jhpo
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 15, 2020
McGregor, a frequent watcher of the UFC when not galavanting around the world, didn’t take long to respond to his would-be foe. The Irish star revived a verbal jab at dos Anjos, whom he squared off with at a press conference for UFC 196, comparing the Brazilian’s attire to that worn by captured drug pin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
McGregor wound up fighting Nate Diaz at UFC 196 when dos Anjos broke his foot in training and was forced to withdraw. In a massive upset, Diaz submitted McGregor to cement a rivalry that extended into a rematch – and possible future trilogy.
It’s been 10 months since McGregor returned to the octagon with a stoppage of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246. He’s entertained a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao along with a showdown against Diego Sanchez as he griped with the UFC. Now, opponents are lining up to meet his return.