Rafael Fiziev and Rafael dos Anjos are set for a consequential clash at lightweight this weekend. A July 9th UFC Fight Night main event emanating from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The battle of Rafaels is piquing the attention of many and that includes UFC‘s own Dan Hooker. ‘The Hangman’ recently gave his fight insights for a bout that was supposed to happen earlier this year before COVID derailed that plan.
“Rafael (Dos Anjos) skill for skill is one of the best guys in the division, that’s hands down,” Hooker said on The AllStar MMA Live. “He’s big for the weight class, he wrestles very well. Strong in all positions, strong against the cage. He has got a really good top game and his striking is pretty tight and pretty defensive. For me, this is like a huge test for Rafa (Fiziev). This is a massive test for him. This is a real step up in competition.”
Hooker gave validity to the Brad Riddell win for Fiziev but saw it as more of a surging prospect vs surging prospect bout. As opposed to now fighting a deeply experienced former champion in dos Anjos.
In terms of then addressing Fiziev’s tools, Hooker sees scenarios that would benefit the Tiger Muay Thai product on Saturday night.
“For me, yeah it’s like whether Rafa (Fiziev) pressures in and jams him against the cage. Like for this one, I don’t think we’re going to see Rafa being able to walk dos Anjos down like we’ve been able to see him walk a lot of the times. Usually, he’s pressuring forward and the other guy has to back off and move. Dos Anjos is not a guy you can really bully around the Octagon. He’s a big unit, he stands his ground. Very hard to hit with a clean shot.”
Hooker also trains with wrestling coach Frank Hickman as Fiziev does. This localized connection gives ‘The Hangman’ insights into the untapped wrestling chops Fiziev does have. Skills we just have yet to really see in a live UFC competition from ‘Ataman’.
There are many tendrils to this bout and the actual contest could end up playing out in a myriad of ways. A well-matched, parity-minded fight that should electrify the MMA space.
Fighter profile
Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev is a 29-year-old male fighter from Kyrgyzstan with 11 pro wins and 1 loss. Fiziev is scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
Rafael Fiziev’s recent form coming into this matchup
Rafael Fiziev has gone 5-0 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.
- Win vs Brad Riddell • KO/TKO R3 2:20 • 2021-12-04
- Win vs Bobby Green • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-08-07
- Win vs Renato Moicano • KO/TKO R1 4:05 • 2020-12-12
- Win vs Marc Diakiese • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-07-18
- Win vs Alex White • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-10-26
Rafael Fiziev’s next opponent: Rafael dos Anjos
Rafael dos Anjos’s recent form coming into this matchup
Rafael dos Anjos is a 37-year-old male fighter from Brazil with 31 pro wins and 13 losses. dos Anjos is scheduled to fight Rafael Fiziev at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
Rafael dos Anjos has gone 3-2 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.
- Win vs Renato Moicano • Decision R5 5:00 • 2022-03-05
- Win vs Paul Felder • Decision R5 5:00 • 2020-11-14
- Loss vs Michael Chiesa • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-01-25
- Loss vs Leon Edwards • Decision R5 5:00 • 2019-07-20
- Win vs Kevin Lee • Submission R4 3:47 • 2019-05-18
How to watch and bet on Rafael Fiziev vs Rafael dos Anjos
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