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Rafael dos Anjos nearly retired after three surgeries: Man, this is it

Published

2 months ago

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Rafael dos Anjos nearly retired after three surgeries: 'Man, this is it'
Rafael dos
Anjos claims multiple surgeries forced his long hiatus.

The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder returns
to the Octagon after nearly two years against Alexander
Hernandez at UFC 332 on
Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The Brazilian suffered a
90-second stoppage loss after injuring his left knee in his last
outing against Geoff Neal in
October 2024.

Rafael dos Anjos details the knee surgeries that threatened his
UFC career

In a recent interview, dos Anjos revealed that he has since
undergone three surgeries on his left knee. A doctor in Brazil
initially stitched up his meniscus, which apparently was a big
mistake. He again tore his meniscus after a few months and
underwent surgery in Austin, Texas, in the U.S.

However, the American doctor allegedly left some stitches inside
dos Anjos' knee, which subsequently led to inflammation. The former
champ then went under the knife for the third time earlier this
year. He admits that the thought of hanging up his gloves has
crossed his mind in the meantime. However, the 41-year-old notes
that he hasn't been dominated in his losses and wants to give it
one more shot.

“I had three surgeries back-to-back,†dos Anjos told Ariel Helwani.
“After the Geoff Neal
fight, I had meniscus surgery, and the doctor in Brazil made a
mistake. He actually tried to stitch up my meniscus, which was a
terrible mistake. Four or five months after the surgery, my
meniscus tore again, so I had to redo it. I had to have the
meniscus removed, and the doctor in Austin, Texas, left a couple of
stitches inside my knee, believe it or not. It was causing
inflammation. I couldn't get full extension, and then I had surgery
for the third time at the beginning of this year. For a second, I
thought, ‘Man, this is it.' But looking at my results, I'm coming
from losses, but I haven't been dominated. I want to give it a
chance. I still have four more fights on my contract.â€

Now healthy, dos Anjos (32-17) will look to rebound from a
three-fight skid against Hernandez (18-9), who is coming off a loss
against Rafa Garcia
that snapped a four-fight winning streak.

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MMA

UFC fighter explains nose-picking moment before Dana White handshake

Published

7 hours ago

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October 26, 2026

By

UFC fighter explains nose-picking moment before Dana White handshake
Mandel
Nallo says his nose-picking gesture at the ceremonial weigh-ins
for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship's recent event in Edmonton,
Alberta, was a message to his children.

Nallo stopped Nate
Landwehr at
UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17. Before the bout, however, the Canadian
lightweight drew attention by conspicuously picking his nose
onstage. He has since explained the gesture.

Mandel Nallo says his sons inspired UFC Edmonton nose-picking
gesture before Dana White’s handshake offer

Nallo said his sons suggested the gesture as a way to acknowledge
them while they watched. That created an awkward moment when UFC
CEO Dana
White extended his hand before Nallo's faceoff with Landwehr.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Nallo explained that refusing the
handshake might have looked disrespectful.

“I have two boys; they’re 5 and 7… I wanted to notify them that I
knew they were watching,†Nallo said. “So I told them, ‘What’s
something I can do so that you guys can see that I know you’re
watching?' They told me, ‘Pick your nose.' I’m a committed nose
picker. I’m not gonna half-*ss it. I’m not gonna pretend. So, I
went up there and that was for them. I’m right-handed. I’m gonna go
up there with my right hand, and then [Dana White] extends his arm
out to you. You don’t have time to explain what just happened. So I
did a finger point so that there was no contact. There was no
disrespect. It was kind of like a ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm' moment. I
got this booger in my hand, but if I go, ‘I don’t want to shake
your hand,' then I look even worse. I just had to roll with
it.â€

Nallo also said his sons don't know what he does for a living.
Although they train jiu-jitsu, he said they are unaware of how
violent MMA can be.

Nallo (15-4, 1 NC) earned his UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series last year but lost his
promotional debut to Jai Herbert
by technical knockout earlier this year. The 37-year-old has never
had a professional fight decided by the judges.

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MMA

On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC 333

Published

7 hours ago

on

October 26, 2026

By

On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC 333

UFC 333 rocked and two of the game's greatest champions, Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan, won in dramatic fashion. So how do these living legends follow up on these memorable performances?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee and special guest host Jed Meshew discuss where Volkanovski goes after another successful night at the office as featherweight champion, and whether the UFC will go in the obvious direction for Yan's next opponent or throw a curveball. Then there's the matter of figuring out where Movsar Evloev and Merab Dvalishvili go after tough losses.

Additionally, future matchups are discussed for flyweight stud Lone'er Kavanagh, would-be heavyweight king Alexander Volkov, and a peaking Aaron Pico, plus our wild card selections and live matchmaking picks from you the listener on YouTube and via the SB Nation app.

Watch the UFC 333 edition of On To the Next One in the video above.

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MMA

On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC 333

Published

7 hours ago

on

October 26, 2026

By

On To the Next One: Matches to make after UFC 333

UFC 333 rocked and two of the game's greatest champions, Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan, won in dramatic fashion. So how do these living legends follow up on these memorable performances?

On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Alexander K. Lee and special guest host Jed Meshew discuss where Volkanovski goes after another successful night at the office as featherweight champion, and whether the UFC will go in the obvious direction for Yan's next opponent or throw a curveball. Then there's the matter of figuring out where Movsar Evloev and Merab Dvalishvili go after tough losses.

Additionally, future matchups are discussed for flyweight stud Lone'er Kavanagh, would-be heavyweight king Alexander Volkov, and a peaking Aaron Pico, plus our wild card selections and live matchmaking picks from you the listener on YouTube and via the SB Nation app.

Watch the UFC 333 edition of On To the Next One in the video above.

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