Search icon

Sport

17th Mar 2016

UFC turn down Rafael dos Anjos’ request for UFC 200 clash with Robbie Lawler or Nate Diaz

Exploring other options

Darragh Murphy

He may still be fighting on July 9 but Rafael dos Anjos won’t be taking on either of the two guys he asked for.

Rafael dos Anjos had proclaimed an interest in fighting at UFC 200 but didn’t believe that his scheduled opponent for UFC 196, Conor McGregor, was deserving of a shot at his lightweight title after he was submitted on March 5.

UFC 185: Pettis vs Dos Anjos

Instead, dos Anjos indicated that he would be open to a title defence against Nate Diaz or, alternatively, a move up to welterweight for a super-fight with reigning 170 lb champ Robbie Lawler.

But according to a report from Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, neither fight is going to go ahead as the promotion has rejected dos Anjos’ request.

UFC 185: Pettis vs Dos Anjos

The news came via the Brazilian’s manager Ali Abdelaziz and it’s not to suggest that this means that dos Anjos will not be competing at UFC 200.

Dos Anjos last fought at UFC on Fox 17 when he stopped top contender Donald Cerrone in the first round and with the main events of all the UFC pay-per-views laid out up to UFC 200, RDA is expected to fight in the summer.

More on this when we have it.