Now champion, Rafael dos Anjos reveals that he almost left MMA before joining the UFC

R. dos Anjos (photo) won the UFC belt in March. Photo: Wander Roberto/Inovafoto

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The lightweight champion and current seventh place in the UFC weight-for-pound rankings Rafael dos Anjos He has one of the most inspiring stories of overcoming the biggest MMA organization on the planet and is experiencing, by far, the best moment of his career. However, not everything was rosy in the carioca's trajectory. Before debuting in the octagon, Rafael received less than a salary per fight and he confesses: he often thought about giving up the sport.

“I often thought about giving up. When I was still fighting in Brazil, to earn R$500, R$1000, it was very complicated, and it was her (my wife, Cristiane dos Anjos) who supported the house at the time. I, struggling to earn so little, thought I had to get a job. She was always the one who said I had a lot of talent, that I was going to achieve it, to believe in my dreams”, said Rafael, citing the importance of his wife’s support, in an interview with the program “Tá na ao”, on the “SporTV” channel.

At 30, Rafael dos Anjos has a professional record of 24 wins and seven losses. In his last fight, in March this year, the Rio native shocked the world and beat the favorite Anthony Pettis to win the UFC lightweight belt. After the victory, however, Rafael underwent surgery to correct an old knee problem and is awaiting medical clearance to make his first title defense, possibly against “Cowboy”. Donald Cerrone.