Rafael dos Anjos Faces Career Challenges After Three Knee Surgeries

Rafael dos Anjos, a former UFC lightweight champion, has revealed that he underwent three knee surgeries over 18 months, a situation that nearly led him to retire from fighting.

The medical issues began after dos Anjos injured his left knee during a loss to Geoff Neal in October 2024. Following an unsuccessful meniscus repair in Brazil, he required a second surgery in Austin, Texas, to remove damaged tissue. Complications from this procedure led to a third surgery earlier this year to address leftover stitches that caused inflammation.

At 41 years old, dos Anjos is set to fight Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 on October 3 in Salt Lake City. He has not fought since the Neal match nearly two years ago, marking the longest inactivity period in his UFC career, which began in 2008. Despite a three-fight losing streak, he emphasizes that he has not been decisively defeated in those bouts.