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Rafael dos Anjos has hit back at Conor McGregor's claims he is a 'traitor' to his home country of Brazil ahead of their Las Vegas showdown in March.

McGregor initiated a war of words with the current UFC lightweight champion after their fight was confirmed, stating he was going to "behead the 'American Gringo' in the name of La Brasilia."

Dos Anjos wasted little time hitting back at McGregor's comments, telling MMAFighting.com: "It doesn't make any sense. We have a lot of Brazilians in the United States.

"It doesn't mean we're traitors to our country. I've got kids and I had to move for different things like better wrestling training partners here.

"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."

(Image: Getty)

When Dos Anjos and McGregor collide on March 5th, McGregor will be aiming to win the UFC lightweight belt to add to his featherweight crown.

The Irishman held both belts during his time in Cage Warriors.

Dos Anjos, however, was adamant that McGregor's past achievements counted for nothing.

"UFC lightweight division isn't the belt he got in Ireland when he fought a guy with a record of 2-7," he added.

"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."

Dos Anjos was also sceptical McGregor could successfully make the switch from featherweight to lightweight.

He said: "Lightweight division is a different story. We'll see. Everybody talks.

"Anthony Pettis talked before the fight. Donald Cerrone talked before the fight. See what happened? 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."