Rafael dos Anjos explains why he doesn't fight in Brazil: 'Taxes discourage me'

R. dos Anjos (photo) is the current UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Since debuting in the UFC, more than seven years and 19 fights ago, Rafael dos Anjos It only made one appearance on Brazilian cards. The current lightweight champion's explanation for his absence from the cards in his home country, however, is far from his own will and has much more to do with economic issues. According to Dos Anjos, it is the high taxes that prevent him from operating in Brazil.

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“I would love to fight in Rio, in Brazil. It's always good to feel the energy of the people here. But one thing that really matters to fight here are taxes. We have a lot to pay and one of the things that discourages me from fighting here is that. There is a 30% (discount) on the paycheck sheet. With this money I can do a lot of things, like paying my technicians and my manager. A lot of people don't talk, but I think one of the things that matters most is that. You can’t fight to win just half of your purse”, said the Brazilian, in an interview with the “ESPN” channel website.

Rafael went on to explain the differences in charging in Brazil and the United States, which make him prefer to play abroad. “Here it’s 30% on the payroll, on the check. You already receive 30% less. There is the entire check and at the end of the year you make your deductions, enter how much you paid for the technician, this and that and there is this deduction for that amount. You have one turn. The problem is that here you don't deduce anything. You lost 30 and lost. And there you have the deduction,” he stated.

Rafael dos Anjos returns to the octagon on March 5th, in the United States, for the main fight of UFC 197. The main fight of the event, which takes place in Las Vegas (USA), will pit the Brazilian and the Irishman face to face. Conor McGregor for the lightweight belt.

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