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MMA Newsvia MMA Fighting

Dos Anjos Open to McGregor Clash Ahead of His 50th Fight

Rafael dos Anjos says he would take a Conor McGregor fight, but only if it comes quickly, not after a long layoff like Michael Chandler endured.

Rafael dos Anjos has unfinished business with Conor McGregor, and he says he is still open to settling it, just not on McGregor's timeline. Speaking ahead of his fight this Saturday against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, dos Anjos made clear he won't wait around the way Michael Chandler did while chasing the Irishman.

According to dos Anjos, McGregor’s recent comeback attempt at UFC 329 this past July ended in disaster, when he suffered a knee injury during his fight with Max Holloway. That loss leaves McGregor without a win since well before that, and no fresh date on the books. Chandler, for his part, sat out roughly two years hoping for a McGregor fight that never materialized, then returned this past June and was finished by Mauricio Ruffy in the first round on June 14, 2026. Our tracker has Chandler rated at 1421 Elo across his last four bouts, a number that reflects just how costly that gamble turned out to be.

Dos Anjos isn't interested in repeating that wait. His message is simple: he'll fight McGregor if it happens, but he's not shelving his career for a fight that may never come together.

In the meantime, there's business against Hernandez, who sits at 1503 Elo over his last nine fights and is coming off a decision loss to Rafa Garcia. Dos Anjos himself rates 1451 Elo through his own last four bouts, and Saturday's bout marks the 50th of his career, a milestone he's framed as symbolic given it comes after nearly two full years away dealing with knee injuries and surgeries.

Whether McGregor ever answers the callout is anyone's guess, but dos Anjos has made his terms clear, and for now his focus is on getting through Hernandez first.

Sources (3)

We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.

This story ran in the October 2, 2026 edition of the daily show.