Rafael dos Anjos expresses “respect” for Renato Moicano for taking short-notice fight at UFC 272
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos expressed “respect” for rival Renato Moicano for taking a short-notice fight at UFC 272.
Dos Anjos was set to fight Rafael Fiziev in a five-round catchweight (160lbs) bout scheduled to serve as the co-main event of UFC 272, but the fight was scratched during fight week after Fiziev tested positive for COVID-19. With Fiziev out, the UFC scrambled to find someone to fight dos Anjos on short notice. It appeared as though Islam Makhachev was the front-runner at one point, and Tony Ferguson also threw his name in the hat. However, in the end, the UFC decided that Moicano was the most suitable opponent and selected him to be the short-notice replacement. Speaking to AG Fight after the news of the new fight was revealed, dos Anjos praised Moicano for taking the short-notice fight.
“My desire is to be UFC champion. That’s my career plan. My focus is Moicano. The category is pretty messed up. As a former champion, a win is a win, it always counts well. As much as I haven’t fought in 16 months, it’s already my second win in a row. I did what the UFC asked me to do. They wanted me to go down in weight, I went down and I have two straight wins in the division if I beat Moicano on Saturday. This is important, but I don’t know. Charles (Oliveira) is about to fight (Justin) Gaethje. I won’t be taking fights according to the ranking anymore. I’m doing my fight and at the right time it will happen. I don’t want to think past Moicano. I have a fight on Saturday against a tough guy, who showed he’s dangerous, he’s a tall guy, difficult to fight. I respect him a lot. What will happen next are God’s plans. I prefer to do my part. The focus is on him,” dos Anjos said.
Who do you think wins the UFC 272 co-main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Renato Moicano?
