Champ dos Anjos too busy thinking about 'Cowboy' to worry about McGregor

Rafael dos Anjos

Rafael dos Anjos isn’t yet ready to discuss a matchup with Conor McGregor. That’s because too much of his attention is focused on Saturday’s UFC lightweight title defense opposite Donald Cerrone.

Dos Anjos (24-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) will look to defend his 155-pound throne, which he won from Anthony Pettis in March, for the first time when he takes on Cerrone (28-6 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in a rematch this weekend at UFC on FOX 17. The championship headliner tops the FOX-televised main card at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

The matchup is compelling and the stakes high with a title on the line. However, they could be bumped even higher because newly crowned featherweight champ Conor McGregor revealed following his 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 that he’s been cleared to jump up a weight class and face the winner of dos Anjos and Cerrone if he so chooses.

A fight against McGregor would be bigger than anything dos Anjos has experienced to this point in his career. He said he’s aware of the possibility of a fight with “The Notorious,” but the conversation is irrelevant unless he wins at UFC on FOX 17.

“I’m not even thinking of this fight (against McGregor); I’m focused 100 percent on Cerrone right now,” dos Anjos told MMAjunkie. “Whatever happens later, I’ll be ready. Whoever tries to take my belt, I’m going to be standing here to defend it.”

Dos Anjos made it clear he’ll face any perceived threat to his belt, and right now that’s Cerrone, who after losing to dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 27 in August 2013 has reeled off eight consecutive lightweight victories and finished five opponents in that stretch.

The first fight ended with dos Anjos’ hand raised by unanimous decision, but he said he expects a different fight this time around. He said Cerrone has improved his skill set over the course of more than two years, however, he doesn’t anticipate it to be enough to put his title in danger.

“The rematch – I beat him once, and I’m sure I’m going to beat him again. I’m so confident because I know what he does,” dos Anjos said. “Since our last fight, he improved a lot, but I think I improved even more. I became a different fighter not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually.

“I won the belt; I’m the champion. But with this defense, I want to show people why I am champion and why I’m here. I came to stay and I want to become a lightweight legend. I want to make history and inspire people, inspire kids, and that’s what I plan to do this Saturday.”

In a year that’s featured seven UFC title changes, one of which dos Anjos was responsible for, the Brazilian has arguably been lost in the mix of the hectic UFC calendar. He hasn’t competed since he took the belt from Pettis at UFC 185, mainly because he required rehabilitation after the contest to repair lingering knee damage.

Dos Anjos said he wasn’t anywhere near 100 percent for the bout with Pettis, but he managed to push through in the biggest moment of his career. He admits his training for that fight suffered because of injury and fatigue, but said none of those issues have hampered his camp for Cerrone. Because of that, dos Anjos said he’s prepared to grab the attention of the world with his performance.

“I was in a rush when I fought Pettis,” dos Anjos said. “My body was breaking and I needed some rest after that fight; I had five fights in a row in 11 months and it was tough for me. I was able to recover my body 100 percent, recover the will for training, and I rested. My body, my mind is fresh and ready to go this Saturday. Now I want to fight again and I can’t wait for fight on Saturday. I miss the octagon. I’m ready to go.”

Health and a proper training camp have lifted dos Anjos’ spirits ahead of fight night, but when discussing his opponent, his attitude turns far more serious. Despite the fact dos Anjos has beat “Cowboy” once before, Cerrone has thrown plenty of trash talk out before the fight, including accusations of performance-enhancing drug use.

Dos Anjos said he’s stored all of Cerrone’s comments in his mental bank and will be ready to make a withdrawal on Saturday in the form of a one-sided beatdown. After that, he said he would address any questions about McGregor.

“If you look at his history, he’s never talked with nobody like that,” dos Anjos said of Cerrone. “He’s trying to get in my head and play a little game, but that’s not going to happen with me. I’ve been in bad situations already and this isn’t the type of thing that’s going to mess up my head. It shows me he’s not confident. Saturday he’s going to pay for that.”

For more on UFC on FOX 17, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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