2016 was one of the most exciting and eventful years for mixed-martial-arts, but it was a trying one for Rafael Dos Anjos. The Brazilian ex-champ lost out on a big money matchup with Conor McGregor and then lost his next two fights. Now, Dos Anjos is looking to reinvent himself in a new division.
Dos Anjos announced on Friday that he will be moving up to the welterweight division in 2017.
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"I reached the top of (lightweight)," Dos Anjos wrote on Twitter, "it’s been a hard journey make weight time. Now I want to fight at my best. I have new goals. I’m moving to (welterweight)."
I reached the top of LW,it’s been a hard journey make weight every time,now I want to fight at my best,I have new goals, I’m moving to WW
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) January 6, 2017
Dos Anjos entered 2016 as the lightweight champion, having steamrolled Donald Cerrone in December. He was booked to fight Conor McGregor in a champion vs. champion super fight in March, but he was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a foot injury.
He instead fought Eddie Alvarez on a Fight Pass card in July and lost his title via first-round TKO. Looking to bounce back and get back into title contention, Dos Anjos faced top contender Tony Ferguson in November. He lost the five-round main event by unanimous decision.