New champion Rafael dos Anjos wants Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch

By Elias Cepeda
Published

New UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is on a roll. The Brazilian dominated Anthony Pettis at UFC 185, has won four straight bouts and nine out of his last 10. 

The only speed bump on his recent record is a decision loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov one year ago. Dos Anjos admits that it just wasn't his night, against the Russian, and hopes to get a chance to fight him again, soon.

"No excuse, he was better that night," dos Anjos said during a recent interview with MMA Fighting.

"I was under pressure, I had issues before that fight, but he was better. Next time, the fight will be different. I only lost one of my last 10 fights. I want to clear that up."

Nurmagomedov next fights Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, who dos Anjos has beaten by decision. Though he gives Khabib credit for doing what he needed to to beat him, by decision, the confident Dos Anjos insists that Nurmagomedov merely out-pointed him. 

"He's a tough guy, but I fought again 45 days after facing him," dos Anjos said.

"I was calling my manager ten minutes after the fight and asking to fight again. 'If someone gets hurt next week, I want to fight'. He didn't hurt me. He just held me down and killed my game. It was basically a grappling match. He has a strong game close to the fence. Not chasing him maybe is a good strategy."

Dos Anjos did use and implement a great strategy against Pettis, however.

Now, as one of the more unexpected champions in recent years, the 30-year-old is enjoying being king. He's got some leg injuries to heal up over the next few months, but the Rio fighter has a shiny new gold belt to cheer him up.

"It's pretty cool. The belt is a dream and I carry it with me all the time," he continued.

"My wife jokes that she's jealous about the belt," he said. "It's a dream come true, but it's only the beginning. I always trained hard in my life to win the title, and I will train twice as hard to stay at the top. I work hard, train hard, because the challenges will be bigger now. I will be ready for everything."