Rafael dos Anjos has been called out by Islam Makhachev recently and Khabib was willing to pay RDA extra to face his friend

Chael Sonnen opened up a can of worms on his recent show. The UFC legend was speaking about the rivalry between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Rafael dos Anjos.

The pair met in the past with Khabib defeating the former UFC Champion. However, RDA was then called out by Islam Makhachev and the pair were to fight at UFC 254.

Things didn’t work out due to Covid-19 and infections and both stars went their own way. However, Sonnen claimed that Khabib wanted to pay RDA to face Makhachev but not in an MMA fight:

“I had told a story over the weekend, Khabib contacted me to get a match for Islam Makhachev vs RDA in Submission Underground.

“If I could make the match, Khabib, personally, would add $30,000 to RDA’s side just for taking it and Khabib personally would show up to the event.”

However, Sonnen went on to say that this fight never took place as Makhachev had to leave the country and RDA started preparing for Donald Cerrone.

RDA wants Khabib Nurmagomedov but won’t be used as a pawn

The former UFC Champion also recently claimed that he was willing to fight Islam but wanted Khabib to be his next battle.

Khabib retired from the UFC a while back and Sonnen claimed that it was unlikely The Eagle would return.

However, he dismissed the notion that RDA was playing games. Sonnen claimed that RDA was willing to fight Makhachev in three or in five rounds and was ready for this weekend too.

The Brazilian did not want to be used as a pawn for the rising Makhachev and it will be interesting to see what happens next.

When I had the belt I asked Ali who was my manager at the time for a rematch with Khabib but Ali always protected his friend and kept him alway from me. I have no problem to fight @MAKHACHEVMMA but if his team believes in him so much I need @TeamKhabib word he will fight me next.

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) March 14, 2021

RDA vs Makhachev would be an amazing fight and something the UFC can revisit. Makhachev is coming off a great win over Drew Dober and needs to fight someone who is ranked.

RDA fits that bill and being a former champion, he would be quite a test for Makhachev.

More UFC news

• Islam Makhachev shares details of heart surgery and effects on MMA career
• Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Petr Yan used an illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259
• Rafael dos Anjos willing to fight Islam Makhachev next only if Khabib Nurmagomedov does this

Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates