UFC Fight Night at the APEX Center in Las Vegas has come and gone. The main storyline involved Paul Felder stepping in for an injured Islam Makhachev on five days’ notice to battle Rafael dos Anjos in his lightweight return. Being that this was a pivotal battle for the two, both delivered a war that went the distance. With Dos Anjos eeking out a split decision win, he didn’t hide his feelings about possibly fighting Conor McGregor.
"If Khabib is really retired, it will leave the division wide open… I think me and Conor is the fight to make."@RdosAnjosMMA reiterates his desire to fight @TheNotoriousMMA after returning to lightweight with a win at #UFCVegas14 pic.twitter.com/73Wj03Jhpo
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 15, 2020
The two were supposed to square off at UFC 196 until a broken foot injury sidelined Dos Anjos. McGregor instead faced Nate Diaz, losing via submission. The two tried again to hook up in the Octagon, but talks deteriorated. With Dos Anjos back in the lightweight division beating Felder, he takes aim at the former two-division champion once again. With 2021 about to be a booked solid year for “The Notorious” McGregor, he accepts yet another fight on his plate.
Dustin first, but I’m down for it all. Throwback to this classic lol.
Look at Dana hahahah
Vintage MMA entertainment.
El Chap! pic.twitter.com/GiC3yl8HB6— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 15, 2020
McGregor is slated to face Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier on January 23 at UFC 257 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Following his bout in the Octagon, he’s hoping to book a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao sometime later in the year. When those two fights are in his rear-view mirror, it’ll be another exciting time to see McGregor caged up against a rival that he has yet to scrap with Dos Anjos. McGregor last fought against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, winning by knockout in the first round.
When the two will be scheduled for a highly anticipated bout is anyone’s guess. One would imagine that if and when the two are to face-off, how it would go. McGregor is a knockout artist with solid grappling ability while Dos Anjos is well versed in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If Dos Anjos wants to burst the bubble of the most polarizing figure in MMA, he’ll have to reinforce his skill set at a higher level to stave off against a man carrying heavy hands.
As anticipated as this bout already is, the waiting game begins for everyone, wondering when the two will fight, and most of all, who will win.
