Rafael dos Anjos Says Conor McGregor Must Want His Comeback
Rafael dos Anjos said Conor McGregor’s torn ACL looked bad and that a return will only happen if the former two-division champion still wants the work.
The former UFC lightweight titleholder spoke with MMA Fighting while preparing for Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 this Saturday in Salt Lake City. The question was about McGregor’s injury in the July rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329.
McGregor tore his ACL and meniscus after a jumping kick 69 seconds into that welterweight bout. He later had surgery and has talked about returning by next summer.
“It sucks,” dos Anjos said. “When I saw that, and I heard it was a ACL, especially everybody want to see a good fight.”
He did not pretend the two men like each other. He also refused to celebrate the injury.
“I don’t like that guy, but I don’t wish it bad upon nobody, man,” he said. “What I went through, I don’t wish it upon nobody.”
Dos Anjos knows that road. He tore up his own knee against Geoff Neal at UFC 308 in October 2024 and needed multiple surgeries before this return. The 41-year-old is 32-17 and is coming back at lightweight after two years away.
He said McGregor can fight again. Desire is the part he will not skip.
“He could come back, but he gotta want it,” dos Anjos said. “If you too comfortable with your life and with finances, and you’re not motivated, you’re not gonna come back.”
He compared that hunger to what he feels right now. He said a fighter who wants one more win has to dial in or the comeback dies.
The interviewer then put a date on the table. Win Saturday, McGregor wants April, and Jose Aldo has said McGregor should return at lightweight. Would dos Anjos take that fight as McGregor’s last one if the calendars lined up?
“Yeah, that would be awesome,” dos Anjos said.
He made clear it would not be about a payday. He said his life has already moved on and he will not sit still for a fantasy booking.
“I’m not gonna do like Michael Chandler sit on the sideline for two years waiting for a fight that never happened,” he said. “That might never happen.”
He added Eddie Alvarez to the same list of names who waited on McGregor. He said the fight might still happen. He also said he wants to keep fighting on his own schedule.
“I just wanna defend my title and keep the ball rolling,” he said. “But who knows, man?”
Dos Anjos does not hold a UFC belt today. He is a former champion trying to restart after the Neal injury and a three-fight losing streak. The line landed as a veteran talking about momentum, not a current title picture.
He closed the same way he opened, without promising a contract that does not exist.
“God has a plan and whatever he decides, if the stars line up and God says, your time, and that would be great,” he said. “I would love that.”
McGregor has not been booked for April. Aldo’s lightweight suggestion is public, and McGregor’s own timeline has pointed at summer 2027 more than a spring date. Nothing in the interview changes those facts.
Saturday still comes first for dos Anjos. Hernandez is 18-9 and coming off a decision loss to Rafa Garcia. A win would be the 50th pro fight of dos Anjos’ career and the first proof that the rebuilt knee can hold a lightweight camp.
A McGregor fight would be a different conversation after that. Dos Anjos said he would take it if the timing is real. He also said he will not wait two years to find out.
