Kemal
08-01-2017, 07:37
Former UFC Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is making some big changes to his game. He has already left Kings MMA to start his own gym, but that has not been enough to get the fighter back on track. RDA is now shaking things up once again by announcing he will be switching weight classes heading into 2017.
Less than six months removed from holding the 155-pound belt, RDA tweeted out that he plans on moving up a division to welterweight. Citing problems cutting weight, the Brazilian feels that a more natural weight for him will lead to future success down the line.
Dos Anjos leaves lightweight now that the division has become riddled with talent. He has already lost to the three top challengers at 155. He lost a unanimous decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov before starting his win streak that would lead to him earning the belt. After five wins and a successful title defense, RDA lost the belt to Eddie Alvarez in a brutal first round beatdown. In his last fight, he could not figure out the madness that is Tony Ferguson, losing that fight via decision. Though he was once scheduled to fight current Lightweight Champ Conor McGregor, it looks like that fight will now never happen.
While moving up to 170 might make the weight cut easier, it will not make for an easier fight. Welterweight is one of the toughest divisions in the UFC, and is full of killers at the top. Current champ Tyron Woodley has plenty of hardcore fighters waiting for their shot at the title, including Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia, Robbie Lawler and Donald Cerrone. While RDA has already beaten Cowboy at 155, the other top contenders would pose some serious stylistic challenges for him.
The move isn't coming totally out of left field, as there were several signs that RDA may need to depart the lightweight division.
The struggle with cutting weight, along with two straight losses that put him way behind in title contention, meant that something had to be done. Now, we'll see if 2017 will be a resurgence year for the former champ at a new weight class.
Less than six months removed from holding the 155-pound belt, RDA tweeted out that he plans on moving up a division to welterweight. Citing problems cutting weight, the Brazilian feels that a more natural weight for him will lead to future success down the line.
Dos Anjos leaves lightweight now that the division has become riddled with talent. He has already lost to the three top challengers at 155. He lost a unanimous decision to Khabib Nurmagomedov before starting his win streak that would lead to him earning the belt. After five wins and a successful title defense, RDA lost the belt to Eddie Alvarez in a brutal first round beatdown. In his last fight, he could not figure out the madness that is Tony Ferguson, losing that fight via decision. Though he was once scheduled to fight current Lightweight Champ Conor McGregor, it looks like that fight will now never happen.
While moving up to 170 might make the weight cut easier, it will not make for an easier fight. Welterweight is one of the toughest divisions in the UFC, and is full of killers at the top. Current champ Tyron Woodley has plenty of hardcore fighters waiting for their shot at the title, including Stephen Thompson, Demian Maia, Robbie Lawler and Donald Cerrone. While RDA has already beaten Cowboy at 155, the other top contenders would pose some serious stylistic challenges for him.
The move isn't coming totally out of left field, as there were several signs that RDA may need to depart the lightweight division.
The struggle with cutting weight, along with two straight losses that put him way behind in title contention, meant that something had to be done. Now, we'll see if 2017 will be a resurgence year for the former champ at a new weight class.