Rafael dos Anjos claims that Islam Makhachev demanded more than R$5 million to accept a fight at UFC 272

R. Dos Anjos (photo) spoke about I. Makhachev's refusal. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook @UFC

After defeating his compatriot Renato Moicano on great display in the co-main event of UFC 272, Rafael dos Anjos spoke about the refusal to Islam makhachev to face him. The former lightweight champion was originally going to face Raphael Fiziev, but needed a new opponent after the Kazakh tested positive for Covid-19 days before the event. At the time, some names offered to replace Fiziev and face the Brazilian, including Islam makhachev.

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The Russian, who didn't even need to sweat to knock him out Bobby Green at the end of February, he agreed, through social media, to face Rafael dos Anjos in a duel in the welterweight division (up to 77 kg). When everything seemed to be on track, however, the UFC announced that Renato Moicano would be the replacement for Raphael Fiziev. Later, Dana White revealed that Islam makhachev refused the fight.

During his participation in the “MMA Hour” podcast, on the North American website “MMA Fighting”, Rafael dos Anjos spoke about the situation and said he believed that Makhachev, in reality, never intended to confront him.

“You heard what Dana said. Islam did not accept the fight. I suggested 74,8 kg, he could have beaten it, but he asked for 77 kg. I said I would have no problem fighting at 77 kg and I even showed my scale after training, showing 77,5 kg. The next morning they said they would not accept the fight. I think I just called his bluff, that's what happened. They thought I wouldn’t accept the welterweight fight,” he said. Rafael dos Anjos.

Still on the situation involving the refusal to Islam makhachev, Rafael dos Anjos claimed to have heard that the Russian asked for US$1 million (approximately R$5,1 million) to accept the fight.

“No (I didn’t hear why he turned down the fight). I heard he asked for US$1 million (approximately R$5,1 million) or something like that to fight. That’s what I heard,” said the Brazilian.

Regardless of the reasons, the fact is that the refusal to Islam makhachev was not well regarded by the UFC. The Russian, who had practically guaranteed the right to fight for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) in his next fight, will need to face Beneil Dariush, fourth in the rankings, before thinking about fighting for the title.

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