Rafael dos Anjos Takes Issue with Michael Chandler’s 'See You At the Top' Mantra

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos revealed to Sherdog last month his decision to permanently return to the welterweight division, even requesting that his name be removed from the lightweight rankings.

“That’s my decision. Unless there was an interesting proposal or some fight that made sense among the lightweights,” dos Anjos said then.

But this week the Brazilian seemed to find an interesting narrative to accept a return to the division where he conquered the gold in 2015. After watching Michael Chandler challenge Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound belt, the Brazilian sent a harsh message to the American on social media.

“How much is the opportunity to become a world champion worth? For some of us, there is no price on a UFC belt. Mine is certainly not for sale,” dos Anjos wrote on X. “Chandler should stop with his 'see you at the top' motivational speeches. It’s embarassing…”

Chandler didn't take long to respond to the former champion in an ironic way.

“Cool story… see you at the top!!!,” wrote the former Bellator champion. 

To that, the Brazilian replied: “I'm already here, friend. I haven’t seen you yet.”

How much is the opportunity to become a world champion worth? For some of us, there is no price on an UFC belt. Mine is certainly not for sale. Chandler should stop his “see you at the top” motivational speeches. It’s embarrassing…

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 2, 2024

I’ve been up here buddy, haven’t seen you yet.

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) July 2, 2024

Sherdog was able to speak with dos Anjos about that exchange with Chandler, and the Brazilian reiterated his challenge to the former Bellator champion.

“He is losing his credibility with the fans waiting for a money fight that might never happen,” dos Anjos said. “I don’t doubt the fans today would rather see my fight with Conor than his. I fought 34 times for the UFC in the last 16 years — fighting the very best of two divisions being the first Brazilian to conquer the lightweight belt. Chandler fought five times for the UFC in two years, three of those were losses. This speech [see you at the top] definitely doesn't make any sense.”