RAFAEL DOS ANJOS says even Irish people are hoping he’ll defeat Conor McGregor at UFC 196.
Dos Anjos will defend his UFC lightweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday, 5 March, when McGregor — the current featherweight champion — will aim to make history by becoming the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously.
As is generally the case when McGregor competes, there’s been plenty of verbal sparring between the Dubliner and his opponent in the build-up to the fight. Dos Anjos continued that in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
“This guy, he thinks just because he dresses in expensive clothes and he drives nice cars that he has class, but he’s classless. He has no class. He’s a low-life,” dos Anjos said.
McGregor has divided opinion among UFC fans since he joined the organisation three years ago. The 27-year-old receives enormous support, particularly in his home country, but according to dos Anjos, not every Irish person is behind him.
“Even Irish fans, they come to me and they say, ‘Hey man, shut that guy’s mouth. This guy has been talking so much’. Maybe 90% of the fans that I meet, they say the same thing: ‘Please shut this guy’s mouth.’
“I’m going to do this for me, for my coaches, for my family, for my fans. I’m going to do this for my God too, because he claims to be God and he’s claiming to beat God. He says he can beat God. We’ll see if he can beat me.”
Dos Anjos added: “This guy, he’s embarrassing his own people. He’s making everybody ashamed of him. I have my neighbour, the guy who lives next-door to me, he’s Irish. His wife is Irish too. They have two kids, they live next-door to me… They say, ‘Please beat this guy, he’s embarrassing us. He’s embarrassing the Irish people’.”
Dos Anjos became the UFC’s lightweight champion in March of last year when he shocked Anthony Pettis. The 31-year-old Brazilian — who also holds wins over the likes of Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz — successfully defended the belt against Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in December.
“Ben Henderson, Donald Cerrone… these guys, they’re a different level,” said dos Anjos. “They’re stronger, they’re faster, they’re taller than [McGregor]. I didn’t have a chance to thank Dana White [UFC president] in the press conference because [McGregor] didn’t let me speak, but I want to thank Dana White and Lorenzo [Fertitta, UFC CEO] for finally giving me an easy fight. Finally.”
When asked for a prediction for the fight, dos Anjos said: “I’m going to win, for sure. I don’t see how this guy can beat me. A prediction? This fight will not be five rounds. It’s going to be maybe three or two rounds. This guy, he’s not going to be able to handle me for more than two rounds. He’s going to break. He’s going to break like a girl.”
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Poor chap knew the moment it happened that his WC was over.
Always hate to see fellas get injured this close to the rwc..
Sports can be cruel too at times
Really felt for the guy watching that unfold on Saturday. Was hoping it was not too serious, sport can be so terribly cruel.
Very bad luck.
Heartbreaking for him. He looks like the real deal and comes across as a good bloke. Was hoping it wasn’t a muscle injury and he’d have some chance of making it.