Initially scheduled for UFC 254 on Oct. 24, the lightweight fight
between Rafael dos
Anjos and Islam
Makhachev had to be postponed due to Brazilian testing positive
for COVID-19 two weeks before traveling to Abu Dhabi.
Dos Anjos spent his camp for the postponed bout at Nova Uniao,
where he wowed the likes of former UFC featherweight champion
Jose
Aldo and head trainer Andre
Pederneiras.
“Unfortunately he was caught by COVID-19. He was in such
a great shape. But I can guarantee that as soon as he
recovers, the fans will see the best Rafael dos Anjos ever,” Aldo
told Sherdog.com backstage at a launch event for Wanderlei
Silva’s biography last week.
Aldo revealed that he also participated in the camp with dos Anjos
and already has his next opponent decided.
“Unfortunately the UFC did not authorize me to release the name,
but we will fight in November,” Aldo said. “By December 2021, I
want to be the owner of bantamweight belt.”
Pederneiras also came away impressed by dos Anjos’
conditioning.
“He is such a tough kid, complete everywhere. Actually, it was a
great exchange. I think we were able to help him a lot due to
the amazing amount of lightweight sparring partners we have here
and also to improve his takedown defense in the cage. For what I
saw here, I believe he is returning to lightweight to fight for the
title,” Pederneiras said.
At the moment, it is unclear if dos Anjos vs. Makhachev will be
rescheduled or if the former lightweight king will receive a new
opponent.
“I talked to his manager Giovani last week. UFC is deciding if they
will postpone the fight or change the opponent. It also depends on
Makachev´s team, so we just have to wait,” Pederneiras said. “As I
said to Rafael, his main concern must be recover from COVID and be
ready.”
Dos Anjos last competed at UFC Fight Night 166 on Jan. 25, where he
dropped a unanimous verdict to Michael
Chiesa at welterweight. While training in Rio de Janeiro in
preparation for his lightweight return, RDA utilized the same
nutritionist who helped Aldo make the cut to bantamweight.
The only Brazilian lightweight champion in UFC history, dos Anjos
has lost four of his last five promotional appearances. A training
partner of current 155-pound king Khabib
Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is currently on a six-bout winning
streak in UFC competition.