Rafael Dos Anjos says he'll stop Anthony Pettis
Rafael Dos Anjos has been an underdog so often that he now takes confidence from the tag. The Brazilian lightweight was an underdog against former champ Benson Henderson, and managed to knock "Smooth" out last August. Dos Anjos was an underdog again last month against Nate Diaz but dominated the former title challenger to win his third straight fight.
Now, Dos Anjos is looking forward to a title shot against champ Anthony Pettis at UFC 185 in March. "I'm super excited about this opportunity," Dos Anjos told Brazilian outlet Globo in a recent interview.
"This will be five fights in a little over a year. I'm stoked and very motivated. I like being the underdog, I'm already accustomed to it. This is something that motivates me even more and I know that this fight against Pettis will not be different. I will be the underdog. But, I fight well when I have big tests. I knocked Ben Henderson out and will do the same to Pettis."
The 30 year-old says he's also particularly motivated to do something no other Brazilian has done in the UFC. "I want to make history," he explained.
"I will be the first Brazilian to win the lightweight belt. With each passing day, I'm more sure that I will."
Dos Anjos is holding his cards close to his chest with regards to his strategy against Pettis, but does say that he feels pressuring the Roufusport fighter will be the key to winning. "If you leave Pettis loose, and don't pressure him, he starts to land those kicks of his, which are very dangerous," he says.
"Anthony is a very creative and smart guy. I've got to not let him breathe, and put pressure on him. This will intimidate him a little bit."
