Rafael dos Anjos's Savvy Revenge on Conor McGregor

Years may pass, but some moments are never forgotten. Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion, has been holding onto a particular moment for eight long years, and he finally got his chance to reciprocate. Conor McGregor recently had to pull out of his scheduled fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to an injury, leaving fans and fighters alike in upheaval.

Back in 2016, it was dos Anjos who had to withdraw from a fight against McGregor due to a broken foot. At the time, McGregor was quick to mock the Brazilian, questioning the severity of dos Anjos’s injury:

"Did you see it? It’s a bruise," McGregor said. "Ice, ibuprofen. If I jumped under an x-ray, the doctor would slap me and say what are you doing, kid? Get out of here. Stop this! If you show up, you fight, you’re in, congratulations. You did it."

Now, with McGregor on the other side of the fence, dos Anjos wasted no time in delivering his retort.

Rafael dos Anjos Mocks Conor McGregor’s Withdrawal

With McGregor's sudden withdrawal, dos Anjos couldn't resist taking a jab at the Irishman. He took to social media to return the favor, using McGregor's own words against him:

"It’s just a bruise," dos Anjos wrote. "Take some ibuprofen."

Dos Anjos's sarcastic comment not only highlighted the turn of events but also underscored the simmering tension between the two fighters. While dos Anjos's injury was a broken foot—a serious condition—McGregor has yet to disclose the nature or severity of his injury, leaving fans in speculation.

The Implications of McGregor’s Withdrawal from UFC 303

McGregor’s unexpected exit from the fight card has left fans and organizers scrambling. The bout with Michael Chandler was highly anticipated, with both fighters in the spotlight. UFC has yet to reschedule the matchup, and McGregor hasn’t disclosed how long his recovery may take.

Such withdrawals can significantly impact fight cards and championship dynamics, creating ripples throughout the sport. For Rafaela dos Anjos, it offered a moment of closure. For McGregor, it’s a reminder that what goes around comes around.

In the ever-dramatic world of mixed martial arts, where psychological warfare is as fierce as the physical battles, dos Anjos’s patient payback after eight years serves as a testament to the enduring rivalries that make this sport so compelling.

Editor: Yana Davydiuk