'MMA's Cristiano Ronaldo' is yet another to challenge Dos Anjos in new category

Jouban wants to face Dos Anjos in the Brazilian's welterweight debut. (Photo: Getty Images)

The name of Rafael dos Anjos remains on the rise among welterweight fighters. After announcing that he will move up a category for his next fight, the Brazilian has been receiving challenges for his first duel at the new weight. After Belgian Tarec Saffiedine made himself available to welcome the former lightweight champion,, it was Alan Jouban's turn to ask to face him.

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“We (my team and I) were already looking at a fighter ranked in the top 15, on how to convince the UFC to give me a top athlete, because I want to prove that I belong to the ranking. So, when Rafael dos Anjos He said he was moving up a category, at the time we thought he was the right guy for the next fight. I've been on the phone all day today with my manager, it's something we 100% want now. We have already communicated to the UFC that this is the fight we want. I want to be the welcome guy for 'RDA' in the division. We reached out to Rafael's management team and said, 'Hey, let's do this fight.' They don't have an opponent yet, so I'll be that guy. Yes, I'm excited to face him. This is the fight I want 100%! I want to fight on a big card against a big name. I want the UFC to let me prove it, so give me the Rafael dos Anjos!”, declared Jouban, in an interview with the website 'BJPENN.com'

Rafael announced his promotion after two consecutive defeats at lightweight, to Eddie Alvarez and Tony Ferguson. Alan Jouban, 34 years old, comes from three consecutive victories, the last of which over Mike Perry at UFC Sacramento, in December 2016. In Ultimate, he has already had eight fights, winning six and losing two, including a defeat to the Brazilian Warlley alves.