Former UFC lightweight champion and current welterweight contender Rafael dos Anjos is back to fighting five-round fights.

On Saturday at UFC on FOX 26, dos Anjos (27-9 MMA, 16-7 UFC) will take on fellow ex-champ Robbie Lawler (28-11 MMA, 13-5 UFC) in a bout that could determine the next UFC title challenger at 170 pounds. Only this time, dos Anjos won’t have to starve himself to get to the fight. With 15 extra pounds to carry, the Brazilian actually ate during training camp.

“Cardio was never an issue with me,” dos Anjos, who moved to the welterweight division earlier this year, told MMAjunkie Radio this week. “I was doing five or six rounds with three fresh guys.

“It’s a good thing I don’t have to starve myself. I was able to eat well and keep myself strong. I had way fewer injuries. My recovery was way faster. So I just feel like it was a very smart move on my part going to 170 pounds.”

UFC on FOX 26 takes place Saturday at Bell MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The event’s main card, including the Lawler vs. dos Anjos headliner, airs live on FOX following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass.

It hasn’t taken dos Anjos long to get into title contention after a pair of welterweight wins against Tarec Saffiedine and Neil Magny. The fight with Lawler, though, is undoubtedly the most dangerous in his push for a new championship. Lawler brings a concussive power that renders the well conditioned unconscious in the blink of an eye.

Like his previous fight with Magny, dos Anjos will be at a height and reach disadvantage, forced to get inside on his powerful opponent to land shots or get a takedown.

But for all his physical disadvantages, dos Anjos sees the matchup as a meeting of two men on different trajectories.

“I believe Robbie is one of the toughest guys,” he said. “He had a great career, but I just feel like I’m in my moment now. I’m going uphill, and I feel Robbie is going downhill. He’s a dangerous guy; he has a lot of knockout power.

“I feel that’s one of my biggest challenges, and I can’t wait to go there and perform at my best and show people what I’m capable of.”

The winner of the bout is promised a meeting with current welterweight champ Tyron Woodley, whose wrestling skills are a tough ask for both fighters. Dos Anjos, though, is ready to add another belt to his collection.

For more on UFC on FOX 26, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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