Rafael dos Anjos, 37 years of age with a record of 31-13 and a former UFC Lightweight champion and is on a two fight winning streak and currently ranked #7 in the lightweight division, he is taking on Rafael Fiziev this upcoming weekend. Rafael Fiziev, 29 years of age with a record of 11-1 and is on a five fight winning streak and is currently ranked #10 in the lightweight division. Both fighters would be one spot higher in the rankings if the UFC didn’t strip former champion Charles Oliveira for missing weight in his title defense against Justin Gaethje. Therefore the lightweight belt is vacant and Oliveira is ranked #1 in the division which brings every fighter down one in the rankings. The winner of dos Anjos and Fiziev will definitely be one win away from fighting for the lightweight championship belt. I do believe dos Anjos has a lot more to lose in this fight being 37 and at the end of his career, I wonder if this will be his last run at the title. Fiziev, only being 29, still has a long career ahead of him.
Dos Anjos being a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Fiziev being a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I believe that is where dos Anjos is going to have the advantage and try to capitalize. Dos Anjos likes to put out a high striking volume so he can work his takedowns and grappling. If he is able to enforce his grappling early on in the fight I believe he will be able to dominate the fight. However if Fiziev is able to neglect the takedowns and grappling exchanges and stay on his feet he’s going to light up dos Anjos with his Muay Thai. Fiziev has won championship’s in Muay Thai organizations so I do believe his striking will be better than his opponent dos Anjos. Fiziev’s takedown defense is 95% in the UFC; but he has not faced anyone like dos Anjos. This is Fiziev’s toughest opponent and he’s going against a battle-tested veteran who is very wise and has seen it all. This also might be dos Anjos last chance to make a run at the title so I believe we will see his best performance yet but he is going against a young hungry lion. I am looking forward to this fight it’s going to be action packed.
BIASMMA 