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After missing massive payday, Rafael dos Anjos eyes UFC 200

UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was likely watching UFC 196 and thought to himself aloud “That could have been me” when Nate Diaz scored an upset submission victory over Conor McGregor. The Brazilian was originally slated to defend his title against McGregor in what would have easily been the most watched fight of his career as the Irishman sought to become the first UFC fighter to hold world titles simultaneously in two different weight classes.

Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of UFC 196 after breaking his foot. (Getty)
Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of UFC 196 after breaking his foot. (Getty)

However, a broken foot saw RDA’s dreams of putting the brakes on the McGregor hype train go up in smoke when he had to pull out 10 days before the fight. So, it’s expected that dos Anjos had some difficulty watching Diaz earn a massive paycheck and score the biggest win of his MMA career at his expense.

“What went through my mind: I fought Nate Diaz already, and I knew, Conor, he's a good fighter, but I think I can put a worse beating on him, for sure," dos Anjos said on “The MMA Hour” Monday. The UFC lightweight champion claims that he has never had to pull out of a fight due to injury and having to miss out on such a big fight certainly ate at him.

"I always show up, but unfortunately for this fight, I broke my foot, man,” dos Anjos said. “A lot of people are making fun of it, and I don't like to make fun of people's injuries. I think we are fighters, so everybody is going to get injured one day. So, unfortunately I lost my payday, but I think everything is God's plan for my life. I believe in that.”

Although he mourns the lost paycheck, dos Anjos said that he’s happy with what his MMA career has afforded him. He’s experienced a career resurgence of sorts after starting his UFC career with a 4-4 record. After losing to Gleison Tibau at UFC 139, dos Anjos began a torrid run through the competitive lightweight division and went 10-1 over the past four years, which culminated in a virtuoso performance when he dominated Anthony Pettis to claim the UFC lightweight title at UFC 185. He’s earned performance of the night bonuses in three of his last four fights and says that, while the paycheck would have been great, he didn’t necessarily need the McGregor fight for his career.

"I'm really happy with how much I make, and I have everything in my life,” he said. “If one day, he fights, he makes good wins and he's trying to fight for the title, I will be there. But, you know, life is not all about money.”

Right now, dos Anjos is focused on getting healthy and getting back into the Octagon as soon as possible. With a few names lobbying for a crack at his world title, RDA knows that he has plenty of options for his return bout. However, he has considered tearing a page out of the McGregor playbook and offered to move up a weight division to challenge UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler to a fight at UFC 200.

"I don't know the UFC's plans, but I'm here, man," dos Anjos said. "I'm here to fight anybody. I'll fight welterweight too, if they need me.

"I respect Robbie Lawler, but if UFC needs somebody to fight for the welterweight [title], I would fight."