Rafael dos Anjos says he will finish Conor McGregor whenever he wants at UFC 197

UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos believes that his bout with UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor is where he will become a highly recognized prized fighter with a big draw in the UFC. Although dos Anjos is a champion, his star power isn’t on the same level as the outspoken Irishman. Dos Anjos previously said that he wants to build his legacy and name to be as big as Hall of Fame legend BJ Penn, and will look to make his name more known with a win over McGregor.

Dos Anjos spoke with Combate on how a win over Conor McGregor will catapult him to a higher status (transcribed by Bloody Elbow):

“I think this is the fight that will make fans like me. Especially with a good win, like a knockout. I’ve fought better athletes than McGregor. I knocked out former champion Benson Henderson. I defeated Donald Cerrone twice. I beat both Anthony Pettis and Nate Diaz. These are all better, stronger fighters than McGregor. Because of his popularity and his big win over Jose Aldo, who was undefeated for ten years, I believe this will be the fight of the year. It’s champion against champion. I’ll defeat him whenever I want. In the first round or later on.”

With a spectacular performance against McGregor, do you think dos Anjos will grow his fan base leaps and bounds? Share your opinion in the comments!