Rafael dos Anjos criticizes Cerrone's IV use: 'Of course he has an advantage'

Oct. 1 was supposed to be the end of IVs being used to help fighters recover from weight cuts. One fighter sidestepping this rule is lightweight title challenger Donald Cerrone.

Current champion Rafael dos Anjos understands the reasons why, but that doesn't mean he has to like it.

"Of course he has an advantage," dos Anjos told Combate, according to Lucas Rezende of BloodyElbow.com. "IVs help a lot when you're recovering weight. But for our fight, it won't make much difference, because it won't change the outcome of the fight. The belt will remain with me. I'm not a doctor, but he has plenty of stomach left to drink beer, party, and whatnot. But to lose weight, he needs an IV to get it back.

"Whatever, if the doctor said he's allowed, then he's allowed. It won't change anything. The title will still be with me and I will show why I'm the champion."

Cerrone is eligible for an exemption due to an internal injury that has affected his ability to properly process food. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ruled that Cerrone can use an IV to rehydrate after he weighs in for his encounter with dos Anjos at UFC on Fox 17.

The two previously faced off at UFC Fight Night 27 in 2013. Dos Anjos took a unanimous decision from Cerrone in what would be the last loss for "Cowboy" before he went on a blistering eight-fight win streak that put him in position for a rematch.