Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos could have a chance to make a quick turnaround after losing to Colby Covington at UFC 225 earlier this month, as BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor is reporting that a welterweight scrap between RDA and Kamaru Usman is in the works for this fall.
I’m told that the UFC is currently working on booking a welterweight fight between recent interim title challenger Rafael dos Anjos and surging division contender Kamaru Usman for early this fall. What do you folks think of the matchup?
— Chris Taylor (@CTaylor_96) June 23, 2018
Dos Anjos, 33, had won his first three fights at 170 pounds before getting outworked by Covington for the interim welterweight title in Chicago. The Brazilian holds key wins over divisional mainstays like former UFC champion Robbie Lawler and Neil Magny, which is why he’s still able to land a surging contender like Usman off a loss.
Usman, 31, is coming off a dominant performance opposite Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 129 this past May. “Nigerian Nightmare” has posted a 8-0 record since making his Octagon debut back in 2015, but has only managed two finishes. A victory over a former champion like RDA could land Usman on the doorstep of a title shot entering 2019.
While a date/location has yet to be determined, a potential landing spot for dos Anjos vs. Usman could be the promotion’s Fight Night event this September in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Other possible options include UFC 229 on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas and UFC 230 on Nov. 3 in New York City.
Stick with Mania for more updates on RDA vs. Usman.