Rafael dos Anjos promises to 'punish Charles Do Bronx on the ground' if he has the chance to face his compatriot

R. dos Anjos wants to face C. do Bronx in December (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)

With two consecutive victories since returning to lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) in 2020, Rafael dos Anjos takes action this Saturday (9) to face Raphael Fiziev with a clear objective in mind: to continue the journey to regain the belt that belonged to him between 2015 and 2016. Even if that means going head to head with Charles of the Bronx.

See too

Darren Till is injured and out of fight against Jack Hermansson at UFC London

Cormier cites UFC shielding and gives his opinion on Poatan's knockout of Strickland: 'Adesanya would have done the same'

Jake Paul surprises and says boxing fight against Tommy Fury is canceled

In an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”, Rafael dos Anjos said consider Charles of the Bronx the best lightweight in activity at the moment, but he assured that there are gaps in his compatriot's game.

“He is in his moment. For fighters, it's all about mindset. Charles is mentally on point, he is very confident, but we know that he has already been knocked out in his fights and that he has given up a few times. Now he is in his moment and is very confident. He’s on a good winning streak,” analyzed Dos Anjos.

For Rafael dos Anjos, much of the recent success of Charles of the Bronx in lightweight is due to fear and the inability of opponents to deal with the Brazilian's ground game. If he has the opportunity to face his compatriot, however, the Rio native guarantees that he has the capacity to “punish him from above” and defend himself from below.

“I think guys take him down and get out of his guard. I'll take the opportunity to get into his guard and punish him from above. I think that would make a big difference. The guys take him down, but don't capitalize. If you see, when he took Poirier down, Poirier just grabbed him and tried to waste time. He looked desperate underneath. I play well underneath. I'm a jiu-jitsu black belt, I know how to control my hips and stay calm underneath.Justin gaethje he turned away immediately and that's where Charles is good. He's very good at taking the back and submitting people from behind. I faced big guys who take the back well and none of them took mine. I faced Michael chiesa, Kevin Lee, until Renato Moicano. Some came close, but I know how to defend myself. These guys get desperate, they immediately turn their backs and that’s when you end up strangled”, concluded the carioca.

Poatan in danger? Veteran calls for 'war' and believes in victory against Brazilian in UFC