Rafael dos Anjos talks rival Conor McGregor's injury, potential fight before return at UFC 332

Rafael dos Anjos has put forth his assessment of the gruesome injury that his longtime rival Conor McGregor sustained in his most recent fight. 

Additionally, "RDA" touched upon the possibility of his potential fight against the Irishman -- a clash that's been years in the making -- finally materializing. 

Rafael dos Anjos discusses Conor McGregor's injury, avoids wishing ill on him despite animosity

During a conversation with MMA Fighting's Jose Youngs, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos was asked about Conor McGregor's horrific injury in his latest Octagon outing. 

For context, former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor returned at UFC 329 in July of this year. It was his first fight back from a left leg break that took place in July of 2021. He faced fellow MMA great Max Holloway in a welterweight matchup that headlined UFC 329. The fight ended with "Mystic Mac" suffering a right knee injury and Holloway winning via TKO. 

Well, speaking to Youngs, dos Anjos expressed his empathy for McGregor over his right ACL and meniscus injury. He stated, "It s**ks. When I saw that, and I heard it was an ACL..." 

The Brazilian-American combatant implied that everyone wants to see a good fight, alluding that the anticlimactic end to the McGregor-Holloway rematch wasn't what any fan would've hoped for. 

The 41-year-old said, "I don't like the guy, but I don't wish bad upon nobody, man. What I went through -- I don't wish it upon nobody."

Dos Anjos opined that a fighter can't get too comfortable with his finances and lifestyle. He believes an athlete must be willing to endure the sport's hardships to continue competing in it. The UFC staple said, "He could come back. But he gotta want it." 

UFC 332 fighter Rafael dos Anjos acknowledges scrapped fight with Conor McGregor from 2016, talks potential clash

Back in 2016, Rafael dos Anjos was booked to defend his UFC lightweight belt against then-UFC featherweight kingpin Conor McGregor. However, a foot injury ruled "RDA" out, and their grudge match never materialized. 

Presently, McGregor is recovering from his right leg injury and is eyeing a return to the Octagon in July of 2027. He'd previously targeted a fight in April 2027, but the injury has pushed those plans back. "The Notorious" has underscored that it'll be his current UFC contract's final fight; he's hinted that he could then try his hand at bare-knuckle boxing in the BKFC, an organization he co-owns. 

On the other hand, dos Anjos also dealt with an ACL injury of his own, having been afflicted by it in a TKO loss in a welterweight matchup against Geoff Neal in October of 2024. He's been on the sidelines since and is now set to finally return in a lightweight clash against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 on October 3. 

Intriguingly, Conor McGregor's former opponent and MMA legend Jose Aldo recently advised McGregor to return to lightweight. Dos Anjos, too, is returning to lightweight. On that note, the latter admitted that their long-awaited grudge match could come to fruition when McGregor returns next year. 

Dos Anjos asserted, "It's not about the money... But who knows, man? God has a plan. And whatever he decides. If the stars line up, and God says, 'It's your time' -- that would be great. I would love that." 

Watch Rafael dos Anjos give his take on a possible clash with Conor McGregor below: 

Rafael dos Anjos admits it "sucked" watching Conor McGregor injure his ACL against Max Holloway: "I don't like the guy, but I don't wish bad on nobody. What I went through, I don't wish on nobody. He could come back, but he's got to want it." (🎥: @JoseYoungs) https://t.co/WY1NpuILnc

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 30, 2026