Report: Dos Anjos returns to lightweight to meet Makhachev at UFC 254

Rafael dos Anjos is headed back down to his original division.

The former UFC lightweight champion is set to return to 155 pounds and take on Islam Makhachev at UFC 254 on Oct. 24, sources told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin.

The UFC hasn't yet announced the event's location, though the card is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Dos Anjos' last eight fights were contested in the welterweight division after he moved up in 2017. The Brazilian found early success in the heavier weight class, picking up three straight wins against Neil Magny, Tarec Saffiedine, and former champ Robbie Lawler.

However, dos Anjos is 1-4 since then, most recently losing to Michael Chiesa at UFC Raleigh in January. The 35-year-old's last win came against Kevin Lee via submission in 2019.

Dos Anjos dominated Anthony Pettis to win the UFC lightweight belt in 2015 and successfully defended it once against Donald Cerrone later that year.

Makhachev, a teammate of current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a rising contender at 155 pounds. He's riding a six-fight winning streak, which includes victories over Davi Ramos, Arman Tsarukyan, and Gleison Tibau. The Russian is 7-1 in the UFC.

A title-unification bout between Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje will headline UFC 254.