Dos Anjos denies extra pressure after Aldo defeat

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

With the fall of José Aldo last Saturday (12), the UFC now has only two Brazilian champions: Fabricio Werdum, among the heavy ones, and Rafael dos Anjos, take us lightly. And precisely the latter returns to the octagon next Saturday, the 19th, to make his first title defense against Donald Cerrone.

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Even with the enormous repercussion of Aldo's defeat to McGregor and the criticism made by fans of the now former champion, Dos Anjos denies that he will have extra pressure inside the octagon in the main fight of UFC on FOX 17, in Orlando (USA).

“I was actually very saddened by many messages that people send: 'See if you're going to do the same thing as José Aldo, make us stay up until 4 am to lose in 13 seconds'. I think this is a lack of respect. Those types of people who think that don't even need to root for me, because even before the fight, Aldo was the king. He is still the king. Who goes 10 years undefeated in this sport? And now people say this... This doesn't give me extra pressure, I'm doing my thing, I know it was a big loss for the Brazilian public, everyone expected Aldo to win, due to his unbeaten record over all these years, but one thing I can be sure: Saturday we will continue with this belt”, said the champion, in an interview on the “Combate” channel website.

This will be the rematch between Dos Anjos and Cerrone. The two faced each other for the first time in August 2013, with a dominant victory for the Brazilian. Despite recognizing that both are currently experiencing different times, Dos Anjos believes that the result will be the same. “It's been two years since we faced each other and I think he's improved a lot. Cerrone won eight fights in a row, but I won the belt, so I think he improved a lot, but I improved even more, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually I'm much better. I’m super confident for Saturday,” he added.