Rafael dos Anjos feels ‘less stressful’ after ‘easier’ cut down to 170 pounds

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos will try to get back into the win column tomorrow morning (Sat., June 17, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 111 live on Fight Pass from inside Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. The 32-year-old Brazilian will be making his 170-pound debut against welterweight striker Tarec Saffiedine. Despite moving up one division to face bigger and stronger competition, RDA is more than happy to leave his life as a lightweight behind.

"At lightweight, I had nothing else to get rid of but still had pounds to lose, so it’s being easier now,” said dos Anjos in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. "It’s been easier, less stressful. I’m happier, only thinking about the fight.”

Dos Anjos, who left his wife and kids behind to travel to Singapore three weeks before his fight with “Sponge” tomorrow at UFC Fight Night 111, has a huge opportunity at hand. Saffiedine is currently ranked No. 11 in the UFC’s welterweight faction and is well respected as a divisional contender. A win over him would propel RDA near the top 10.

"He’s a ranked fighter, so I’ll be in a good position in the division with a win over him in my welterweight debut,” said dos Anjos. "Demian (Maia) is going for the belt now, there are other guys ahead of me. I’ll get there slowly, no rush. My time will come.

"When I relaxed and stopped thinking about the lightweight belt, that’s when it came. I’ll continue fighting and worrying about winning, doing my job. The belt is the consequence."

If dos Anjos can get past Saffiedine in devastating fashion this weekend, he’ll have no problem quickly moving up the 170-pound ladder heading into the second half of 2017.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 111 fight card, starting with the UFC Fight Pass "Prelims" matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 4:45 a.m. ET, before the UFC Fight Pass main card start time at 8 a.m. ET.