FORTALEZA, Brazil – Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos said money is a part of his decision to move up to the welterweight division.

“For how much I’m making right now, it’s not worth it for me to make 155 (pounds),” dos Anjos (25-9 MMA, 14-7 UFC) told MMAjunkie after the Friday weigh-ins for this past Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza, Brazil. “If it’s a superfight and I’ll make more money, I’ll do it. But (for) how much I’m making right now, it’s not worth it to put my body at that level of stress and (getting beat up).”

Dos Anjos’ comments highlight the tough situation UFC champions face after they lose the belt. Pay drops significantly, narrowing margins after costs from training camp are factored in.

The former champ said he “invested a lot of money” to get back into the title picture when he fought Tony Ferguson at UFC Fight Night 98. Instead, he walked away with a unanimous decision loss and an uncertain future at lightweight.

Dos Anjos hopes a new division will bring new life to his career. As he previously told MMAjunkie, he is not waiting to build his resume at 170 pounds and wants to fight top-ranked opposition. A return at UFC 212 on June 3 in Rio de Janeiro matches up with his timeline, but he hasn’t received word on his next opponent.

“I think the ideal date for me would be any day in June,” he said. “So I’m here in Fortaleza to have (conversations) because I know I’m going to have a fight soon. I have no idea about an opponent or where, but I’ll be ready in June.

“I want to fight one of the top guys. I was thinking about fighting Jorge Masvidal, but he’s fighting Demian (Maia), because me and Jorge, we’re the only two guys to beat Donald Cerrone in his last 15 fights. Now, I have no idea. I’m a former lightweight champion, and I want to fight the top guys in the division.”

If dos Anjos can put a few of those contenders away, he’ll inch closer to a new belt. That means he’ll be back to those old paydays, but without having to damage his body just to get into the cage.

Check out the above interview for more from dos Anjos about his career.

And for more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.