It has emerged this evening that former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has decided to make the jump up a weight classes to to Welterweight.
Dos Anjos (25-9) spoke exclusively to Brazilian outlet Combate.com, explained [transcribed from Portuguese] the reason behind his decision to make the move.
“I’ve already reached what I had to achieve at lightweight. In addition, it has been very difficult to make the weight. In the fight against Donald Cerrone, when I defended the belt for the first time, I already felt my body was different. Against Eddie Alvarez it was even worse and in the fight with Tony Ferguson was already much more difficult.”
“I started my MMA career fighting there, but as I got older I decided it was better to drop to lightweight because I would be more successful.”
Despite the move RDA hasn’t ruled out a return to Lightweight but for now his attention is now set on completing at 170lbs and a potential future fight with welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
The Brazilian won the lightweight belt when scored a lopsided decision win over Anthony Pettis at UFC 185 in March 2015 but would drop the title to Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 90 and would go on to suffer another decision loss to Tony Ferguson last November.
It is not known when Rafael dos Anjos will make his first appearance at welterweight but MMA Plus will keep you updated as this story develops.
