When the UFC finally confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in sports - that McGregor and Dos Anjos would be joint-headling UFC 197 with Holly Holm and Miesha Tate - it didn't take long for the expected war of words to begin.
Dos Anjos began with a feeble attempt at slagging Cage Warriors, but it wasn't until McGregor upped the ante with this facebook post that it felt like promotions started in earnest:
OFFICIAL FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Conor McGregor Vs Rafael Dos Anjos for the UFC Lightweight World Championship.
March 5th....Posted by Conor McGregor on Tuesday, 12 January 2016
See Also: Watch: The Exchange Between McGregor And Dos Anjos We'll See A Lot Of Before March's Fight
After facing Brazilian Jose Aldo at UFC 194, McGregor faces another in his next fight - although the featherweight champion is poking at Dos Anjos patriotism because Dos Anjos doesn't live in Brazil anymore.
Does that matter to the lightweight champion? Not a bit:
I think that was a frustrated way to try to win the Brazilian fans. This guy is out of his mind. He's going to try to do his best to try to mess with my head. I don't hate him, but the Brazilians do. Brazil is on my side.
The Brazilian completely dismissed McGregor's claims, and his chances at claiming another UFC title - and telling us exactly what he's going to do to McGregor.
There isn't anything special in this fight. I'm just happy to put my hands on this guy and make him humble. I think the toughest part of this camp will be not putting my hands on him before the fight happens.
It's a different world. He fought guys that don't even have Sherdog pages. He holds belts off his amateur show in Ireland. It's a different story to hold two UFC belts. I'll let him talk and we'll see what happens. I hope he's training hard. I think he's going to be scared once I hit him.
Let the fun begin.
See Also: Rafael Dos Anjos Has Fired Shots At 'Cage Warriors' In Lazy Attempt To Slag Conor McGregor
Picture credit: Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE
