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Rafael dos Anjos will wait for UFC title shot, spurns Colby Covington callout after UFC on FOX 26 win
WINNIPEG – Rafael dos Anjos is counting on UFC President Dana White to be a man of his word.
If that’s the case, dos Anjos is the next man to face champ Tyron Woodley following a dominant decision over ex-champ Robbie Lawler in the UFC on FOX 26 headliner Saturday at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
“I’m not a guy that talks so much to try and get a title shot, because I’m talking bad about people, cursing people,” dos Anjos told MMAjunkie after his FOX-televised win. “I just go and do a great performance like I did tonight. I hope so. Dana White said that (the winner would get a title shot), and that’s what I hope.”
Back in October, White set the expectations for dos Anjos (28-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) vs. Lawler (28-12 MMA, 13-6 UFC). Now, the only potential wrench in that plan is Woodley’s current health. The champ is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery, casting doubt on the immediate future of the welterweight class.
Dos Anjos is skeptical about the severity of Woodley’s condition, given the champ was entertaining a fight with Nate Diaz. But he said he’ll wait for his golden opportunity.
“I’ve been in fight camp for the last six months,” dos Anjos said. “I need some time off, too, to go home and get better and have a little longer camp to prepare for a title fight.”
Dos Anjos said he’s the kind of well rounded threat Woodley (18-3-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) won’t be able to neutralize when they eventually meet.
“I think when (Woodley) fought Demian (Maia), he was worried about takedowns only,” dos Anjos said. “When he fought (Stephen) ‘Wonderboy’ (Thompson), he was worried only about stand-up. I think with me, he’s got to worry about everywhere. He’s going to have a lot of things to worry about.”
During the post-event show on FOX, dos Anjos even got a chance to size up his potential opponent and called his shot.
“I had to tell him face to face – I’m not interested in his Gucci belt,” dos Anjos said. “I want the UFC belt.”
Not all were impressed by his performance, of course. In the least surprising development of the night, Colby Covington trashed dos Anjos immediately after the event.
The former lightweight champ sat stone-faced as the message was read. He refused a back and forth, but still took a few digs.
“I have no comments about that guy, man,” dos Anjos said. “That guy has 6,000 followers on Twitter. He’s just talking crap about people. He showed nothing to the division. He’s beat nobody. He beat Demian Maia, but he looked really bad when he fought Demian, and I have no comments on that guy.”
On the topic of Lawler, dos Anjos was nothing but respectful. But he said his dominant performance came as no surprise considering the work he’d done to get to this point.
“I’m just on my way to a second belt,” dos Anjos said.
For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 26, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
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