RDA: I want to fight GSP
Rafael dos Anjos: “I’m a big fan of Georges St-Pierre. For me it would be great to fight against my idol. Of course, man. It’s a new challenger. It’s a big money fight, too.”
Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has announced that he is finally ready to return to the Octagon. He plans to move around to different weights in search of the biggest fights, rather than focus on 170. And during a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the fighter said he could make 155.
The cauliflowered ears of UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos perked up at the news.
“I’m a big fan of Georges St-Pierre,” said RDA, on a recent media conference call, as transcribed by Shaun Al-Shatti for MMA Fighting. “For me it would be great to fight against my idol. Of course, man. It’s a new challenger. It’s a big money fight, too. Of course, if he can make it (to lightweight), I’m here, man. I’ll have the belt.”
An RDA vs. GSP superfight would present an enormous payday, comparable to the one that slipped away when he was forced with withdraw from a fight with Conor McGregor due to a knee injury. Still, challenge rather than cash is RDA’s great motivator.
“A lot of people talk about that, about money, money, money” said dos Anjos. “Everybody likes money. I like money. But I don’t love money. You know, I don’t love money. I fight because I like challenges. I like my life. I like competing, but it’s not just because of the money.”
RDA’s next challenge is a fight with Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 90 on July 7.
“I just feel I have more weapons to win this fight,” said dos Anjos. “My stand-up is better. My wrestling is better. My ground game is better.
“Eddie Alvarez, man, he’s a tough guy. He’s been in the game for a long time and he’s the only guy in the line now, he’s the next challenger. I’m just going to go there and prove to the world, prove to myself, and show everybody how I work with my team. This victory is for my team, my friends, and just show everybody that I’m the champion and I’m going to be with this belt for a long [time].”
“Cerrone was also very durable. Ben Henderson, he had never been knocked out before fighting me. Man, I’m just excited. It’ll be a great fight. Eddie, the guy walks forward. He likes to fight violent, he likes to walk forward. That’s my style too and it’s going to be a great fight, but I have no doubts that I’m going to leave the arena with my belt back home.”