Tag: Rafael Dos Anjos

RDA Defends Oliveira Against “Scared & Exposed” Makhachev

RDA is having none of Islam Makhachev’s recent slander towards fellow countryman Charles Oliveira. Recently, Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to a recent comment from Oliveira. The former lightweight champion would like to fight for the vacant 155-pound strap in Brazil this December. However, he thinks top contender Makhachev needs to get passed Beneil…

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RDA is having none of Islam Makhachev’s recent slander towards fellow countryman Charles Oliveira.

Recently, Makhachev took to Twitter to respond to a recent comment from Oliveira. The former lightweight champion would like to fight for the vacant 155-pound strap in Brazil this December. However, he thinks top contender Makhachev needs to get passed Beneil Dariush first before earning a fight against himself.

In the meantime, Oliveira would like to fight a high profile name such as Nate Diaz. This didn’t sit well with Makhachev, who had some words for Oliveira.

“@CharlesDoBronxs it’s funny you calling out Nate who hasn’t won a fight in years and same time saying I have to earn something…just say it straight that you scared to lose., your jiu jitsu won’t work in our fight and you know that”

This prompted Rafael dos Anjos to come to Oliveira’s aid, responding to Makhachev by reminding him that he had the opportunity to step in and fight him at UFC 272, as Makhachev said he would, yet the fight never materialized. RDA said Makhachev was “scared” and “exposed” that fight week.

RDA also doesn’t seem to like Makhachev’s chances against Dariush.

Makhachev has emerged as one of the most promising lightweight contenders in the division at the moment. Currently, he holds a record of 22-1 and is on a 10-fight win streak. Many have predicted that Makhachev is a future UFC champion, and he might just be on the cusp of proving them right.

Of course, the UFC seems interested in booking Makhachev vs. Dariush first. However, with Oliveira needing a dance partner for the vacant lightweight title later this year, and Makhachev arguably the hottest name in the division, plans could always change.

What do you make of RDA’s comments towards Makhachev? And do you think Makhachev should face Oliveira next? Sound off in the comments!

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Report | Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev Targeted For UFC on ESPN+ 67 Headliner On July 9.

Rafael dos AnjosA lightweight rescheduling between former division champion, the #6 ranked contender, Rafael dos Anjos, and the surging Kazakhstan-born striker, Rafael Fiziev – who occupies the #10 rank at 115lbs, is currently in the works to serve as the headliner for an upcoming UFC on ESPN+ 67 main event on July 9. At the time of […]

Rafael dos Anjos

A lightweight rescheduling between former division champion, the #6 ranked contender, Rafael dos Anjos, and the surging Kazakhstan-born striker, Rafael Fiziev – who occupies the #10 rank at 115lbs, is currently in the works to serve as the headliner for an upcoming UFC on ESPN+ 67 main event on July 9. At the time of publication, an official location or venue for the event has yet to be determined by the organization.

Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev were twice scheduled to meet earlier this year

Earlier this year, Rafael dos Anjos was scheduled to UFC Vegas 48 against Fiziev in February, until VISA issues forced the latter from the contest. Rebooked for UFC 272 the following week, dos Anjos once more saw the pairing shelved after Fiziev returned a positive test for COVID-19. 

In his most recent outing, however, Rafael dos Anjos would remain in the co-main event bracket of UFC 272 in March, besting compatriot, Renato Moicano in a five round co-headliner on short notice, lodging a unanimous decision success in a 160lb catchweight bout.

Undefeated in his last five straight Octagon outings, Fiziev most recently defeated former training partner, Brad Riddell at UFC Vegas 44 in December of last year, landing a highlight-reel wheel kick and follow up strikes knockout win. ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto was first to report the news of dos Anjos’ rescheduled matchup with Fiziev.

“Rebooked,” Okamoto tweeted. “Not official, but UFC close to finalizing RDA (Rafael dos Anjos) (@RdosAnjosMMA) vs. Rafael Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) as it’s main event for a UFC Fight NIght on July 9.”

Returning to the lightweight limit at UFC Vegas 14 in November of 2020, dos Anjos, who was booked to fight the surging, Islam Makhachev at the UFC Apex facility – eventually shared the Octagon with Paul Felder over the course of five rounds, landing a one-sided split decision win.

Winning the undisputed lightweight title at UFC 185 in March 2015, dos Anjos defeated Anthony Pettis to win the championship, before turning in his sole successful title defense with December rematch knockout win over Donald Cerrone. 

11-1 as a professional with seven knockout victories, Fiziev, who lost his Octagon debut against Magomed Mustafaev in April 2019, has since struck a rich vein of form – defeating Alex White, Marc Diakiese, common-foe, Moicano, as well as Bobby Green, and the above mentioned, Riddell.

Furthermore, the promotion have also set an August 6. main event bracket between one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Thiago Santos, and the surging division knockout artist, Jamahal Hill — as per an initial report from MMA Junkie.

Dan Hooker Responds To dos Anjos’ Harsh Rejection Of Callout

Dan Hooker has offered a response to Rafael dos Anjos after being promptly dismissed as a potential opponent. At UFC 272 last month, dos Anjos, a former 155-pound champion, returned to the Octagon for the first time since November 2020. Following a main event victory over late-notice replacement Paul Felder, the Brazilian’s momentum was stalled…

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Dan Hooker has offered a response to Rafael dos Anjos after being promptly dismissed as a potential opponent.

At UFC 272 last month, dos Anjos, a former 155-pound champion, returned to the Octagon for the first time since November 2020. Following a main event victory over late-notice replacement Paul Felder, the Brazilian’s momentum was stalled due to injury.

Even dos Anjos’ 2022 comeback had some obstacles along the way. His initial clash with Rafael Fiziev was pulled from its main event slot in February, before “Ataman” contracted COVID-19 during UFC 272 fight week, forcing his withdrawal from the re-arranged bout.

In Fiziev’s place came Renato Moicano. Despite showing immense grit and toughness, the young Brazilian was comfortably beaten by his more experienced compatriot across five rounds.

Now back healthy and back in the win column, “RDA” is looking for a quick turnaround. He took to Twitter this past weekend to call for an opponent to step up to the plate for this summer.

“July/August…anybody,” he wrote.

As it turns out, “anybody” actually means ‘anybody, except Dan Hooker’.

UFC London: Dana White gives his thoughts on Dan Hooker losing in featherweight return

As well as ranked lightweights Mateusz Gamrot and Brad Riddell expressing their availability for the timeframe in question, it was the response of Dan “The Hangman” Hooker that garnered the most attention.

With his response to dos Anjos’ open callout, in which he simply said, “Smash ya face in,” the New Zealander has seemingly suggested he’ll be returning to 155 pounds next time out.

If that is the case, it appears it won’t be to face dos Anjos…

Wasting no time in responding to Hooker, “RDA” pointed out their opposite form, which has seen the Brazilian win two straight and “The Hangman” lose two straight.

“I’m coming of 2 win and you 2 losses, gotta be kidding me [facepalm emoji]”

Dan Hooker Responds To dos Anjos’ Rejection

Soon after RDA’s dismissal, Hooker responded by alluding to the irony of dos Anjos’ rejection when juxtaposed with the rhetoric of the initial callout.

“Anyone means something else where I’m from,” Hooker wrote beside a crying laughing emoji.

Despite currently being ranked at #6 on the lightweight ladder, it stands to reason dos Anjos will be fighting down the order next time out, partly due to matchups scheduled above him, but also because his last two victories came against the now-retired Felder on less than a week’s notice and the unranked Moicano.

With that in mind, he could be best served accepting a re-arranged bout with Fiziev, who was also among those expressing a willingness to provide “RDA” with his desired summer clash.

Who would you like to see Rafael dos Anjos face this summer?

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Dan Hooker Offers To Land Summer UFC Return Against Rafael dos Anjos

Dan HookerWith former UFC lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos currently targeting a summer Octagon return, the Brazilian has received an offer of opponent from recent division staple, Dan Hooker – who welcomed a July or August comeback against the ex-champion. dos Anjos, 2-0 since his move back from welterweight back in November 2019, returned to the […]

Dan Hooker

With former UFC lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos currently targeting a summer Octagon return, the Brazilian has received an offer of opponent from recent division staple, Dan Hooker – who welcomed a July or August comeback against the ex-champion.

dos Anjos, 2-0 since his move back from welterweight back in November 2019, returned to the lightweight limit against short-notice replacement, Paul Felder in the main event of UFC Vegas 14, landing a clear-cut split decision win over the now-retired Philadelphia native.

Initially slated to feature in the co-main event of UFC 272 back in March against the surging striker, Rafael Fiziev – dos Anjos eventually shared the Octagon at a catchweight limit of 160lbs – defeating another short-notice replacement, compatriot, Renato Moicano over the course of five dominant rounds in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Following the victory, the Niteroi veteran welcomed both a BMF championship outing against Jorge Masvidal, as well as a rescheduling against former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor. 

With neither pairing yet to come to fruition, as well as any other fight for the Brazil native, dos Anjos campaigned for a summer comeback on his official Twitter last night – tweeting, “July/Aug… anybody.” 

Receiving a reply from New Zealand striker, Dan Hooker, dos Anjos has been offered an Octagon return – with the City Kickboxing mainstay tweeting, “Smash ya face in (man dancing emoji).”

Dan Hooker most recently featured back in March in a return to the featherweight limit at UFC London

Taking umbrage with Hooker’s callout, dos Anjos pointed to the recent form of Dan Hooker, who suffered defeat at the hands of both Islam Makhachev and then Arnold Allen in his featherweight return back in March at UFC London.

“I’m coming off 2 wins and you (are coming off) 2 losses, gotta be kidding me (man face palm emoji),” Rafael dos Anjos tweeted.

A former undisputed lightweight champion, dos Anjos clinched the title in the main event of UFC 185 in March 2015, defeating Anthony Pettis with a unanimous decision win, before returning in December of that to stop two-time opponent, Donald Cerrone with a first round knockout win in his sole successful title defense. 

Khabib Nurmagomedov Reflects On 2014 Battle With Rafael dos Anjos – “Everything After That Is History”

Khabib NurmagomedovKhabib Nurmagomedov has taken to his social media to reflect upon his victory over Rafael dos Anjos back in April 2014. The former undefeated lightweight champion left the sport at his pinnacle after making his third successful title defense over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov currently is the longest-reigning champion within the lightweight division […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken to his social media to reflect upon his victory over Rafael dos Anjos back in April 2014.

The former undefeated lightweight champion left the sport at his pinnacle after making his third successful title defense over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov currently is the longest-reigning champion within the lightweight division having held the belt for just short of three years.

Khabib Nurmagomedov On His Journey To The Top

Khabib Nurmagomedov took to his social media to reflect on the journey it took him to get to the top, and more specifically on his matchup with Rafael dos Anjos.

“Exactly 8 years ago my fight against dos Anjos took place. Before this fight he had 5 consecutive wins and after fighting me he had 5 consecutive victories and in addition after my fight he became the Champion. Since after fighting with him in 2 months, I tore the front ACL ligaments and knocked him out of the championship race for as long as 2 years, and everything after that is history….I divide my professional career into 2 clips: The first section is 2008-2016. The second section is 2016-2021. I’ll tell you about this section some other time.” (Transcribed by BJPenn)

Khabib Nurmagomedov called it a career in 2021 and has since begun working on his own promotion Eagle FC in the aim to turn the promotion into a household name.

Following his defeat to Khabib, the Brazilian would bounce back and claim five straight victories back-to-back.  Dos Anjos himself is still competing to the day and most recently picked up a victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 272 back in March.

Most recently Rafael dos Anjos has had speculation surrounding a potential matchup against Dustin Poirier in the summer at UFC 276 being his next outing.

Who do you think would win out of RDA and Dustin Poirier?

Renato Moicano Told Corner Not To Stop RDA Fight At UFC 272

UFC lightweight Renato Moicano has revealed that he told his corner not to stop his UFC 272 co-main event fight against Rafael dos Anjos. At this month’s pay-per-view, Moicano earned the respect of the masses by going 25 minutes with former champion dos Anjos on just four days’ notice. The Brazilian’s opportunity arose when Rafael…

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UFC lightweight Renato Moicano has revealed that he told his corner not to stop his UFC 272 co-main event fight against Rafael dos Anjos.

At this month’s pay-per-view, Moicano earned the respect of the masses by going 25 minutes with former champion dos Anjos on just four days’ notice. The Brazilian’s opportunity arose when Rafael Fiziev tested positive for COVID-19 at the start of fight week.

Despite having some luck on the feet, Moicano was ultimately heavily beaten, both on the scorecards and physically. The tole on his body appeared so bad that many, including ‘RDA’ himself, believe the fight shouldn’t have seen the later rounds.

Despite making it to the judges’ scorecards, some believe the decision to allow Moicano to fight beyond the third frame was irresponsible on the part of referee Marc Goddard, the cageside doctor, and the Brazilian’s American Top Team corner.

That sentiment certainly wasn’t shared by Moicano, who suggested the opportunity to continue allowed him to show what he’s made of.

Nevertheless, Moicano admitted he wouldn’t have been annoyed had cornerman Marcos DaMatta thrown in the towel, as color commentator Michael Bisping suggested he should have.

“The fifth round was my best round because I was already tired and the ref asked me if the fight kept going like that, he would stop it,” Moicano explained. “I knew I had to give everything I had and gave all my energy to knock him out and I showed a lot of heart. They could not take this from me. It was good for me because I took the fight on such short notice (that) if they stopped it, I would’ve been really upset.

“The cornerman has to know their fighters and the corner asked me if I was in the fight, and I said yes, I still wanted to fight. They told me to go out there and try to win and that is what I did. If I said I wasn’t ready or I’m done, he would’ve stopped it, but I told him I’m still in the fight. But, if he decided to throw the towel, I’m not going to be mad because he cares about me.” (h/t BJPenn.com)

Moicano: UFC Turned Down 3-Round Request

With the clash between ‘RDA’ and Fiziev originally being slated for a UFC Fight Night headliner in February, it had been kept as five rounds after being delayed to UFC 272. Despite the late call-up for Moicano, the co-main remained set for 25 minutes.

It turns out that was in spite of a request from Moicano’s team. The Brasilia native confirmed to BJPenn.com that a pursuit of a three-round bout failed during negotiations with the promotion.

“I asked for it to be three rounds and that’s what we wanted, but at the end of the day, I knew they wanted it to be five rounds,” Moicano said. “With that, I was willing to take the chance because he is a big name, a former champion, and a top contender.”

Having taken the fight with the five-round stipulation attached, Moicano says he knew his conditioning would prove to be an issue if dos Anjos managed to impose a wrestling attack.

Once that happened, Moicano says he anticipated a long night.

“I was a little bit worried as I knew I couldn’t wrestle as going into the fight, I was focused on striking all five rounds as I didn’t have the energy to take him down,” Moicano added about his cardio. “If I missed a shot, I would be exhausted. I did what I could with what I had. It was a mental game for me as I knew I couldn’t put a high pace or get takedowns or grapple.

“After he got the first takedown, I thought, ‘Man, this is going to be a long night,’” Moicano said. “In the back of my head, I thought he would shoot for the takedown but I didn’t know for sure. When I hit him and he took me down, I thought this would be hard because I didn’t have enough training to prepare for his wrestling.”

Do you think the UFC 272 co-main event should have been stopped?

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