Former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos is preparing to compete for the first time since losing his gold, when he battles Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 98.
However, when the fighter does step into the octagon for that bout, he will be doing so without the aid at Kings MMA, whom the fighter left to form his own team and gym.
“I haven’t opened my own gym yet, but it’s a matter of time,” dos Anjos said. “I left Kings MMA, it wasn’t working anymore. I’m among friends now, with good people around me and I won’t stop training hard. I’m a well-liked guy, I have good friends, it’s unfortunate that it didn’t work. Now it’s time to move on, nothing changes.”
According to an interview conducted with Combate, his new training partners have provided a good atmosphere for Dos Anjos to train in
“It turned out to be one of the most fun camps I ever had,” dos Anjos said. “I’m very much in sync with the people. We trained in the mountains of Mammoth for 20 days and now we moved down to Mexico City just 10 days before the fight and it’s been great. It’s a really cool experience and I’m dropping weight nicely, thank God. Everything is perfect.”
Rafael Cordeiro, who was the head training for Dos Anjos at Kings MMA, also talks about the former champion's departure from the team.
“Rafael is assembling his own team,” Cordeiro said. “We had some talks during his preparation, since half of his camp was here in the gym. In the last talk, we decided we should each go our separate ways. He’ll go down a successful path, just like he has done so far. He’ll be champion again, for sure. I can tell from what I have seen in the gym, just like we will still be training athletes to be champions over here. Ever since his first fight up until now, he had 10 fights and only two losses. That’s a very good partnership. I’m sure Rafael will have the belt again soon.”
UFC Fight Night 98 is taking place on Saturday, November 5 from the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico with Rafael Dos Anjos and Tony Ferguson headlining.
