UFC 196 News: Champion Dos Anjos Admits Challenger McGregor Got In His Head
Reigning UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos recently admitted that his challenger Conor McGregor was able to successfully get in his head through the incessant trash-talk over the past few days.
But according to the mixed martial arts veteran and Kings MMA standout, having the brash-talking Irishman in his head is actually a good thing.
In a report by Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting, dos Anjos spoke to a group of media men in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to him, he thrives better when his opponents take the trash talking to a whole new level.
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Dos Anjos also noted how he handled another trash talking fighter such as Nate Diaz, whom he handily defeated in December 2014.
"I wake up thinking about him, I go to the gym thinking about him," dos Anjos said. "That's how he's in my head. Nate Diaz pushed me at the weigh-in, but I fight ever better when my opponents make it personal. I will dominate him."
During a pre-fight press conference in preparation for UFC 196, McGregor incessantly talked trash against dos Anjos, in an attempt to push his buttons. In the said presser, "The Notorious" took shots at dos Anjos' citizenship, and how the latter now chose to live in the United States with his family.
McGregor went as far as calling the champion a "gringo," adding that he admires Aldo more for not leaving Brazil behind. Dos Anjos explained how the "lunatic" McGregor "crossed the line" through his tirades, and how his teammate and heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum egged on him to throw a bottle in response.
"But that's not my style," Dos Anjos said. "I will answer him when the time comes. On March 5, I will be the one doing the talk."
The co-main event feature of the said card would be a women's bantamweight title fight between champion Holly Holm and challenger Miesha Tate.
