Dos Anjos (photo) seeks unprecedented achievement for Brazil in the UFC. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
Brazil, which has a long tradition in the world of MMA and has already crowned ten UFC champions, could see an important taboo broken this Saturday (14). At UFC 185, in Dallas (USA), Rafael dos Anjos will try to become the first athlete in the country to win the lightweight division belt, which has a weight limit of 70,3 kg.
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To date, no Brazilian has achieved maximum recognition in the lightweight division. The one who came closest was Hermes França, who, in 2007, challenged the then champion Sean Sherk, but ended up defeated. At 30 years of age, Dos Anjos will try to continue his good form in combat against the champion, with an eye on achieving his ninth victory in 10 fights.
Even though Dos Anjos is one step away from the title, anyone who thinks he had an easy time in the UFC is mistaken. The Brazilian suffered two defeats in his two inaugural fights in the Octagon, in 2008 and 2009, and in his first eight appearances, he finished 4-4.
After that, Dos Anjos reinvented himself by honing his Muay Thai in Asia and training alongside renowned trainer Rafael Cordeiro. From then on, the athlete began to show more versatility, posing danger to his opponents both on the ground, his specialty, and in striking. The victories achieved against Donald Cerrone, Benson Henderson and Nate diaz accredited him to fight for the title.
However, Dos Anjos will have a tough mission ahead. The category champion, Anthony Pettis, is considered one of the most spectacular athletes today, showing unpredictability in the octagon both standing up and on the ground. Of his last four opponents, none managed to survive for more than two rounds.
To get in the mood for this fight that promises to go down in history, the SUPER FIGHTS prepared a special that recalls all the nuances of the attraction!
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