As UFC lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos (24-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) mends a surgically repaired knee, he knows there’s a certain “Cowboy” in his future. But he also believes a move up to 170 pounds is on the horizon.

“I just got my lightweight belt,” dos Anjos told MMAjunkie’s John Morgan on a recent edition of “The MMA Road Show.” “I’m looking forward to defending it a couple of times, then maybe I’ll do some fights in the welterweight division in the future.

“I think once I get older, I’m going to get tired of cutting weight. I could just go there and fight (at welterweight). I think that’s my goal. I’m going defend my belt a couple of times and maybe go to the welterweight division and do some superfights like Ben Henderson.”

Dos Anjos said he generally walks around at about 195 pounds, and while he believes rematches with Donald Cerrone and Khabib Nurmagomedov are needed to prove his true place as champion, he wouldn’t mind a relief from the strain of cutting down to 155 pounds.

“I think once you get older, you know how to fight already,” dos Anjos said. “You just go there and fight without having that extra stress of cutting weight. That’s my goal for the future.”

Dos Anjos admitted he was downright inspired by former UFC lightweight champ Henderson’s February win over a much-bigger Brandon Thatch in the welterweight division.

“I was cheering like he was my best friend,” dos Anjos said. “I like the way he fights.”

Dos Anjos actually beat Cerrone in 2013, and their rematch should take place later this year. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov is the lone blemish among dos Anjos’ past 10 appearances. And he could easily be granted a title fight once he also returns from a knee injury.

Then maybe dos Anjos will consider moving up to welterweight for a few interesting contests. First, though, it’s time to dispatch of a few more 155-pounders.

“I want to prove everyone that I’m not a champion by luck,” dos Anjos said. “I work hard, and I want to prove to everyone that I’m a top-10 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. I just want to prove to everyone that I came to stay. I’m not here for one title defense. I came to stay.”

For the latest on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.