After an extensive recovery and rehabilitation process, Dos Anjos is finally set to return to the octagon at UFC 332, where he will face Alexander Hernandez in a lightweight bout.

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos talks about his injuries and what went wrong in the first 2 surgeries

Earlier today, on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rafael dos Anjos revealed that after the UFC 308 loss, he had a meniscus surgery during which the doctor stitched up his meniscus. Four or five months after the operation, dos Anjos’ meniscus tore again, and at that time, he had to get it removed. However, the doctor left a couple of stitches inside his knee, which was causing inflammation and preventing him from extending his knee fully, and to get that fixed, he had to get a third surgery.

“I had three surgeries back-to-back. 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.”

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil reacts after suffering a knee injury against Geoff Neal in a welterweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

At 41, the Brazilian veteran is currently on a three-fight losing streak but remains determined to keep competing and snap it. Dos Anjos hopes to fight a couple more times before potentially retiring, as he told Helwani during the same sit-down.

“For a second, I thought, ‘Man, this is it,’ but I don’t know, something inside of me that always tells me keep on going. I don’t feel like this is it yet.”

Check out Rafael dos Anjos’ comments below:

Subham

Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.