Rafael dos Anjos claims that he has the backing of the Irish people ahead of his fight with Conor McGregor.
The Brazilian is putting his lightweight title on the line against the Dubliner at UFC 196 and he’s pulling no punches in the build-up.
Speaking on MMA Hour, dos Anjos explained how his next door neighbour’s wife is Irish (true story) and that, when he sees them, they are begging for him to “shut Conor’s mouth.”
“My neighbour, he lives next door to me, his wife is Irish,” the lightweight champion told Ariel Helwani. “Every time they’re saying ‘please beat this guy. He’s embarrassing Irish people.'”
The super-fight on March 5 in Las Vegas is drawing tantalisingly close and the 31-year-old has only gone and stoked the flames with his comments, claiming he has “99% backing” of the public.
“I’ve never had [so many] people… even Irish people – they come to me and say, ‘please shut that guy up. He’s talking so much.’
“I’m going to beat him for myself and for my people and for my God. He’s claiming to be a god. We’ll see if he can beat me then.
“A lot of guys want me to win,” he said. “The Irish say this guy has embarrassed his own people. They’re ashamed of him.”
