Rafael dos Anjos still wants to settle unfinished business with Conor McGregor. However, the former UFC lightweight champion will not put his career on hold waiting for him.The Rafael dos Anjos Conor McGregor fight remains an option more than a decade after their original booking collapsed. Dos Anjos welcomes the matchup but says he will not repeat Michael Chandler’s mistake by spending years waiting for McGregor.
Rafael dos Anjos Still Wants Conor McGregor Fight
Rafael dos Anjos 32-17-0 discussed McGregor ahead of his return against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332. The Brazilian made it clear that he remains interested in finally sharing the Octagon with his longtime rival.
Their history stretches back to 2016. Dos Anjos was the UFC lightweight champion when the promotion booked him against McGregor at UFC 196.
A broken foot forced dos Anjos out of the fight. Nate Diaz replaced him and handed McGregor his first UFC defeat.
Ten years later, dos Anjos still sees value in revisiting the matchup. He also believes beating Hernandez could put him in position for another major opportunity.
RDA Will Not Follow Michael Chandler’s Path
Dos Anjos has one major condition. He will not remain inactive for an extended period while waiting for McGregor.
Michael Chandler became the obvious comparison. Chandler coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 opposite McGregor and spent considerable time pursuing their fight.
UFC eventually booked them for UFC 303 in June 2024. McGregor withdrew after suffering a broken toe, and the matchup never happened.
Dos Anjos does not want a similar situation. He remains interested if the timing works, but staying active matters more than waiting indefinitely for one opponent.
McGregor’s Latest Injury Complicates Any Immediate Fight
Conor McGregor 22-7-0 returned to competition at UFC 329 after five years away. His rematch with Max Holloway ended after another injury just 69 seconds into the opening round.
Holloway officially won by first-round TKO after McGregor suffered a knee injury. The setback again left questions over when the Irish star could compete.
McGregor has since targeted a return next year while continuing his rehabilitation. His recovery from the UFC 329 knee injury therefore remains the biggest obstacle to any immediate matchup.
Dos Anjos understands that problem better than most. His own recent absence followed an ACL injury suffered against Geoff Neal in October 2024.
Dos Anjos Questions Whether McGregor Still Has the Motivation
Dos Anjos also raised another question surrounding McGregor’s comeback. He wondered whether the former two-division champion still has the motivation required for another demanding rehabilitation.
McGregor’s recent career has involved lengthy periods away from competition. He returned at UFC 329 after last competing against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
Dos Anjos did not dismiss McGregor’s ability to return. Instead, he questioned whether someone who has already achieved so much still wants to endure another difficult recovery.
McGregor, however, responded positively to dos Anjos’ comments. His reaction suggested the long-awaited matchup still interests him.
UFC 332 Comes First for Rafael dos Anjos
Before thinking about McGregor, dos Anjos must deal with Alexander Hernandez 18-9-0. They meet at UFC 332 on October 3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The matchup marks dos Anjos’ 50th professional MMA fight. It will also be his first appearance since the October 2024 loss to Neal.
The UFC booked Rafael dos Anjos against Alexander Hernandez as both veterans attempt to return to the win column. Dos Anjos enters after three consecutive defeats.
At 41, activity has become particularly important for the former champion. That helps explain why waiting years for McGregor holds little appeal.
Their 2016 Fight Remains One of UFC’s Biggest What-Ifs
McGregor entered 2016 after knocking out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds to capture the featherweight championship. His next target was dos Anjos and the lightweight belt.
Winning would have made McGregor a simultaneous UFC two-division champion months earlier than his eventual achievement against Eddie Alvarez.
Dos Anjos’ injury changed everything. Diaz accepted the replacement fight, defeated McGregor and created one of the UFC’s biggest rivalries.
The Brazilian and Irishman continued exchanging words afterward, but the UFC never managed to put them together again.
Could McGregor vs Dos Anjos Finally Happen?
The possibility depends heavily on both fighters’ next steps. Dos Anjos must first come through UFC 332, while McGregor needs to complete another injury rehabilitation.
A victory over Hernandez would give dos Anjos more leverage when discussing his next opponent. His history with McGregor provides an established storyline that requires little introduction.
McGregor’s timetable presents the larger complication. His UFC 329 knee injury means the matchup cannot happen immediately.
Dos Anjos has therefore left the door open without making McGregor his only plan.
Final Thoughts
The Rafael dos Anjos Conor McGregor fight remains one of the UFC’s longest-running unfinished matchups. Ten years after their first booking collapsed, dos Anjos remains willing to finally make it happen.
His position also comes with a clear limit. Dos Anjos will not sacrifice years of his career waiting for McGregor. UFC 332 and Alexander Hernandez come first, while a McGregor fight remains an option if their timelines eventually align.
FAQs
Does Rafael dos Anjos still want to fight Conor McGregor?
Yes. Dos Anjos remains interested in finally facing McGregor but does not want to wait years for the matchup.
Why did Rafael dos Anjos vs Conor McGregor not happen in 2016?
Dos Anjos suffered a broken foot and withdrew from their scheduled UFC lightweight title fight.
Who replaced Rafael dos Anjos against McGregor?
Nate Diaz stepped in and defeated McGregor by second-round submission at UFC 196.
Who is Rafael dos Anjos fighting at UFC 332?
Dos Anjos is scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 on October 3, 2026.
When could Conor McGregor return?
McGregor is recovering from the knee injury suffered against Max Holloway and has indicated that he is targeting a return in 2027.
