Exclusive: Rafael dos Anjos looking for shot at glory after Vicente Luque fight - 'another title shot will happen'

Rafael dos Anjos is not giving up hopes of becoming a UFC champion once more as he approaches his third decade in MMA.

The 38-year-old Brazilian is facing Vicente Luque at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas this Saturday, and the former lightweight champion has not yet relinquished hopes of adding to his resume, which boasts a strap in that division.

Luque is a fellow Brazilian, and speaking to TNT Sports, the veteran said that while there are many compatriots in the sport, he is not especially close to his upcoming opponent.

Dos Anjos, who made his debut in 2004, said: “I think the UFC has grown so much throughout the years, back in the day, 10 years ago it was hard to fight a Brazilian. These days, it has grown so much and so many guys are under contract.

"I know Vicente, we’ve fought on the same card before, but we don’t have any relationship, we’re not friends, and that’s work, and I’m really glad that the fight is going to happen this Saturday.”

The fight was originally scheduled for July but was put back by around a month, and Dos Anjos believes the delay has helped him.

He explained: “Fight camp went really great, And I can’t wait to put on a great show for you this Saturday.

“I’m not sure, they called me, at first the fight was meant to be in July, and they called me with a changed date.

"I don’t really know what happened but at the end of the day, it was better for me. It gave me more time to be on point and I had some issues in my camp back then, and for me it was great that the fight changed for this date.”

Luque is seven years’ Dos Anjos’ junior, but the older fighter sees a path forward to challenge for a title at 170lbs.

“Here I am fighting another contender, a tough guy, younger than me,” he acknowledged.

“I feel that I have a lot in my tank, in a polite way, my lightweight days are over. I want to compete at my best and my best is 170, and of course it’s hard not to think about the belt. I‘m a very competitive guy and I like to win. Being a former champion and former title contender in this division - I’ve fought for the title before in this division - it’s a method of winning, I have a tough challenge this weekend.

"Vicente Luque is a tough guy, but once past him, if I keep winning, a title shot will happen. I’m a former champion.

“I think the wait is shorter, it’s a matter of opportunity. If the opportunity knocks on my door. You know how this game works, so many things can change in a day, in a half-day. People get hurt and other guys are ready to go. My goal is to be ready, like I always do. Live a good lifestyle.

"If I get the call to fight a champion, get the luck, I’ve fought a champion before, and I went the distance, I got four weeks' notice. I have a lot in my tank and I’m just happy to be competing again this Saturday.

“I fought everybody, tough guys. The level I’ve been through is pretty high. It’s not the number of fights, it’s the level of competition, I think that people think I’m a BMF (Bad mother-f*****). I don't think I meet the right requirements to fight for the BMF [title].

"I’m a former champion, I had a belt. Guys who fight for a BMF, guys who never had a title.”

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