Rafael dos Anjos is officially set to return after nearly two years away from competition. The former lightweight champion has battled through multiple knee surgeries during that absence. He now returns against a determined opponent looking to snap his own recent skid. The matchup adds real intrigue to an already growing October card.
Rafael dos Anjos Alexander Hernandez Fight Confirmed for UFC 332
Dos Anjos will face Alexander Hernandez in a welterweight bout on October 3. The fight takes place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City for UFC 332. Multiple outlets confirmed the booking following an initial report from ESPN Brasil. Neither fighter has fought since suffering setbacks earlier in their respective careers.
Dos Anjos 32-17-0 last competed in October 2024 against Geoff Neal at UFC 308. He suffered a torn ACL and meniscus during that fight, ending the contest early. The Brazilian needed three separate surgeries across fourteen months to fully recover. He recently said he believes he still has a few fights left in him.
Key Details
This will mark dos Anjos’s fiftieth professional fight across his lengthy MMA career. He currently ranks as the second longest tenured active fighter on the entire UFC roster. Hernandez enters the bout after a decision loss to Rafa Garcia back in April. That defeat snapped a four fight winning streak built around two finishes.
Hernandez also moves up to welterweight for the first time in his career. He previously competed as low as featherweight during earlier stretches of his UFC run. Dos Anjos has bounced between lightweight and welterweight throughout his own extensive career. Their contrasting styles add another layer of intrigue to the entire matchup.
What This Means
The fight carries real stakes for both men given their respective recent circumstances. Dos Anjos needs a strong showing to prove his body can still compete. Hernandez needs a win to reestablish momentum after snapping his own winning streak.
Their stylistic matchup also adds genuine intrigue heading into fight week preparations. Dos Anjos remains known as one of the sport’s most relentless pressure fighters. Hernandez has rebuilt his career around patient, effective counter striking in recent outings.
The result could shape how each man approaches the lightweight and welterweight rankings going forward. A statement win for either fighter would carry real weight given these circumstances. Both camps enter fight week with genuine motivation to deliver a strong performance.
Background Context
Dos Anjos previously held the UFC lightweight title and remains a respected veteran presence. He has competed inside the UFC since 2008, spanning nearly eighteen years with the promotion. His resume includes wins over Donald Cerrone, Neil Magny, and Robbie Lawler throughout his career.
UFC 332 continues adding fights ahead of its October 3 date in Salt Lake City. The card already features a bantamweight clash between Deiveson Figueiredo and Payton Talbott. Updates to the overall rankings picture will likely follow depending on how results unfold.
Final Thoughts
Rafael dos Anjos Alexander Hernandez booking adds a compelling storyline to UFC 332 in October. Dos Anjos looks to prove his body can still compete after multiple serious surgeries. Hernandez aims to bounce back and continue building momentum in a new weight class. Fans will watch closely to see how both fighters look after their recent setbacks.
