Rafael dos Anjos Returns vs. Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332
Rafael dos Anjos returns from a two-year layoff to face Alexander Hernandez at welterweight at UFC 332 on Oct. 3, 2026.
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Rafael dos Anjos will end a two-year layoff against Alexander Hernandez at UFC 332 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, marking the former lightweight champion's first fight since a knee injury derailed him against Geoff Neal. The bout puts dos Anjos back in the welterweight division, where he'll face a Hernandez opponent who is himself jumping up in weight after competing as low as featherweight in April 2024.
Dos Anjos has not fought since suffering the knee injury against Neal, a setback that led to multiple surgeries and repeated delays before his team finalized this return date. At 41 years old, he arrives on a three-fight losing skid, though he was competitive at a high level in each of those bouts before the injury shut him down entirely.
Why Hernandez Is a Live Threat at 170
Alexander Hernandez brings momentum and a completely different toolset than dos Anjos is used to seeing. He has won four of his last five fights and has rebuilt his career as a counter striker, a sharp contrast to the swarming, pressure-heavy approach that made dos Anjos a champion. Hernandez is also eight years younger and, unlike dos Anjos, has stayed active rather than sitting out lengthy stretches for injury recovery. Both men are new to welterweight in a meaningful sense: Hernandez is making his official move up from 145 and 155 pounds, while dos Anjos has bounced between lightweight and welterweight for years but hasn't competed at all since 2024's setback.
Betting Angle
The layoff and the losing streak are going to weigh heavily on how oddsmakers price this fight once lines open, and dos Anjos will likely be treated skeptically by the market given two full years of inactivity, multiple surgeries, and his age. Hernandez's activity and recent form make him the more straightforward bet on paper, but the stylistic matchup complicates a clean read. A patient counter striker who hasn't fought bigger, more physical opponents at 170 is a different puzzle than the guy he faced at featherweight or lightweight, and dos Anjos built his entire prime on suffocating exactly that kind of fighter with pace and pressure. Anyone willing to back the former champion is betting on him still having enough in the tank physically to force Hernandez into the kind of fight he doesn't want, and that's a real question mark until dos Anjos actually steps back in the cage.
What Comes Next
UFC 332 lands Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, giving dos Anjos nearly a year to finish his preparation after such an extended absence.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Rafael dos Anjos return to fighting?
Rafael dos Anjos returns at UFC 332 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, facing Alexander Hernandez at welterweight.
Why has Rafael dos Anjos been out of action?
Rafael dos Anjos has not fought since suffering a knee injury against Geoff Neal, which required multiple surgeries and kept him out for two years.
Is Alexander Hernandez moving up in weight to fight dos Anjos?
Yes, Alexander Hernandez is moving up to welterweight to face Rafael dos Anjos after having competed as low as featherweight as recently as April 2024.
