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A break down of pro Muay Thai Fighter Rafael dos Anjos: Career Highlights and Fighting Style Analysis
- kennyherrholz
- Jun 1
- 8 min read
Rafael dos Anjos is one of the most skilled and experienced fighters in mixed martial arts today, known for his sharp striking and impressive Muay Thai techniques. His journey from Brazil to the top levels of UFC showcases his dedication, skill, and relentless work ethic. Fans and fighters alike respect his powerful combination of striking and grappling, making him a balanced and formidable opponent in every bout.
Dos Anjos has built a reputation as a tough competitor who is always ready for a challenge. His training in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu helped him reach championship status, including a title run as UFC Lightweight Champion. To learn more about his career and techniques, visit his Wikipedia page.
Key Takeaways
Dos Anjos combines expert Muay Thai striking with world-class grappling.
He has earned championships and major wins in the UFC.
His disciplined approach and strong mindset set him apart in MMA.
Professional Muay Thai Journey for Rafael dos Anjos
Rafael dos Anjos built a strong reputation as a Muay Thai striker through years of hard training and discipline. His skills helped him succeed in both Muay Thai and MMA, gaining recognition for his technical fighting style and persistence.
Early Career and UFC Debut
Rafael dos Anjos started training in Muay Thai in his home country of Brazil. He dedicated himself to martial arts from a young age, which helped him develop tough striking skills. This solid Muay Thai foundation laid the groundwork for his future in combat sports.
He gained early experience fighting professionally in Brazil, which helped him grow as a fighter. His hard work earned him a spot in the UFC, one of the largest MMA promotions in the world.
Dos Anjos made his UFC debut against Jeremy Stephens in 2008. The fight was challenging, and he suffered a knockout loss. However, this setback pushed him to keep working on his skills and toughness. His desire to improve became clear throughout the next stages of his fighting career.
Transition to MMA and UFC
Rafael dos Anjos blended his Muay Thai striking with Brazilian jiu-jitsu as he entered MMA. This mix made him a tough and versatile opponent. His ability to attack with kicks, punches, and clinches helped him compete well in the UFC lightweight division.
Over time, dos Anjos went on a winning streak that made him a top contender. He trained with well-known coach Rafael Cordeiro, who helped him sharpen his striking. The fighter’s strong dedication to training was a big reason for his improvement.
Dos Anjos’s style relies on fast combinations and heavy pressure against his opponents. His background in Muay Thai showed in his ability to control the pace of a fight. This led to several decision victories, as well as notable finishes in the octagon.
Notable Fights and Opponents
Rafael dos Anjos has faced some of the top names in MMA. He won the UFC lightweight title by defeating Anthony Pettis through a dominant decision win. Later, he fought high-level athletes like Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Robbie Lawler, and Neil Magny.
Some other major opponents include Kevin Lee, Michael Chiesa, and even fought on the same cards as Conor McGregor. His fights often went the full distance and were decided by the judges, but he also scored important finishes with his striking skills.
Dos Anjos’s consistency and ability to compete with elite fighters has kept him a respected figure in the UFC. His willingness to take on tough challenges has made many of his bouts must-watch events for MMA fans.
Signature Fighting Techniques
Rafael dos Anjos uses a combination of explosive striking, sharp kickboxing, and advanced grappling techniques in the cage. His ability to mix striking with effective ground work makes him a challenging opponent in multiple areas.
Explosive Striking and Kickboxing
Dos Anjos is known for his high pressure and aggressive style on the feet. He often pushes his opponents back with fast punching combinations and powerful low kicks. His kickboxing game uses a lot of movement and angles to open up his strikes.
He will chop at his opponent's legs with low kicks, wear them down, and then follow up with punches or knees. Dos Anjos also likes to use a pressure passing game that lets him move forward, cutting off space and keeping his opponent stuck near the cage during exchanges.
This aggressive approach often sets up takedown attempts or forces mistakes from his opponent. For a detailed breakdown, see this analysis of his striking defense and tactics.
Ground Game: BJJ and Submissions
Rafael dos Anjos holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and he shows excellent skills in grappling and submissions. He is very good at controlling his opponent on the ground using heavy top pressure.
Once he takes an opponent down, he will often pass the guard quickly and look to secure a dominant position. Dos Anjos is skilled at locking submissions like the armbar or triangle choke if his opponent exposes their arm or neck.
His ability to mix ground and pound with submission threats keeps opponents guessing and makes it hard for them to defend. He has finished several fights by submission or by forcing his opponents to give up their backs.
Specialty Moves: Rear-Naked Choke, Armbar, and Ground and Pound
Among his top techniques, dos Anjos often uses the rear-naked choke and armbar to finish fights. He sets up the rear-naked choke by first controlling his opponent’s back. If they defend their neck, he may switch to the armbar by isolating an arm during transitions.
Dos Anjos also uses ground and pound very effectively. He lands short, powerful punches and elbows from the top position, making it difficult for his opponent to recover or escape.
These specialty moves, paired with his control on the ground, allow him to end fights from multiple positions and keep opponents under constant threat.
Championships and Major Victories
Rafael dos Anjos earned the UFC Lightweight Championship and holds several notable wins against top-ranked fighters. His record features a mix of unanimous decisions, split decision victories, knockouts, and technical knockouts, showing his well-rounded abilities in both striking and grappling.
Unanimous and Decision Victories
Rafael dos Anjos is widely respected for his skill in winning fights by decision, especially unanimous decision. This shows the judges all agree he performed strongly in those matches. His most significant decision came when he became the UFC Lightweight Champion by defeating Anthony Pettis by unanimous decision.
Dos Anjos has also beaten top fighters like Nate Diaz, Robbie Lawler, and Benson Henderson, with many victories coming by decision. His ability to control the fight pace, stay active, and defend well are key reasons for these wins. He often scores points by landing more strikes and attempting takedowns, making it hard for opponents to win rounds.
Knockouts and Finishing Power
Though known for his endurance, dos Anjos also has knockouts and strong finishing skills. He holds wins by knockout or technical knockout over respected fighters, such as his TKO victory against Benson Henderson. Dos Anjos’s power and timing lead to finishes that stand out in his career highlights.
He uses a variety of attacks, including sharp punches, knees, and leg kicks, to wear down opponents. While many wins are by decision, his finishing rate—especially earlier in his career—proved he could end fights before the judges intervene. This blend of decision wins and knockout power marks him as a dangerous and versatile competitor inside the octagon.
Training, Mindset, and Influence
Rafael dos Anjos is well-known for his strong dedication to training and his ability to stay focused under pressure. His routines and attitude have made a noticeable mark on both Muay Thai and mixed martial arts.
Preparation and Training Regimen
Rafael dos Anjos spends much of his time preparing both physically and mentally for fights. He trains in several disciplines, but Muay Thai is at the center of his routine. He works on striking, clinch work, and movement daily.
He often splits his days between strength training, striking drills, pad work, and sparring. His sessions include repeated drills that focus on accuracy and speed. Dos Anjos also gives importance to recovery and stretching, which help him avoid injury during long training camps.
Below is a typical weekly breakdown of his training focus:
Training Area | Frequency (Days/Week) | Focus |
Muay Thai (striking) | 4-5 | Punches, kicks, clinch |
BJJ/Wrestling | 3-4 | Takedowns, submissions |
Strength/Conditioning | 3-5 | Cardio, weights |
Recovery/Stretch | Daily | Yoga, massages |
His time at Evolve MMA in Singapore is often noted for its intensity and access to elite Muay Thai coaches. This commitment to a rigorous training regimen allows him to compete at the highest level of competition.
Mindset and Mental Approach
Rafael dos Anjos is known for his strong mindset and his ability to handle tough situations during a fight. He follows a “short memory” mentality, quickly moving past setbacks and focusing on his next goal.
He talks openly about the mental part of fighting in interviews and on social media, including his Twitter. He believes mental toughness is as important as physical strength. Dos Anjos practices visualization, sharp focus, and routine mental preparation before every fight.
His mindset helps him adapt during matches. When facing skilled opponents or fighting in unfamiliar places like Dublin, dos Anjos stays calm and sticks to his strategy. He does not allow nerves to affect his game plan. This focus and discipline are traits younger fighters try to follow.
Influence and Legacy in Fighting
Rafael dos Anjos has left a strong mark on the world of Muay Thai and MMA. His success comes not only from his physical skills but also from the way he prepares and stays mentally focused. Many consider him a role model.
He has worked with Evolve MMA, where he coaches and trains with rising fighters. His style mixes aggressive Muay Thai with sharp jiu-jitsu, making him a well-rounded fighter.
Dos Anjos’s influence extends beyond the gym. He is respected for sharing his knowledge and teaching smart training habits to others. Many upcoming fighters hope to learn from his experience and adapt his attitude in their own careers.
His impact continues as new fighters look up to him and try to match his work ethic and focus in their own journeys.
Rafael dos Anjos in the MMA Landscape
Rafael dos Anjos is a key figure in mixed martial arts, especially in the UFC’s lightweight and welterweight divisions. His career features a long list of battles against some of the most well-known names in the sport, showcasing his resilience and versatility.
Rivalries and Noteworthy Opponents
Throughout his career, dos Anjos has faced top fighters like Colby Covington, Robbie Lawler, Kamaru Usman, and Kevin Lee. These matchups often drew major attention due to the skill and reputation of his opponents.
A notable rivalry took place with Colby Covington, where dos Anjos fought for the interim UFC welterweight title. Although he lost, the fight was competitive and proved his toughness against elite competition. He also defeated former champions like Anthony Pettis to win the UFC lightweight title.
Noteworthy wins include victories against Robbie Lawler and Neil Magny, showing his well-rounded abilities. He has also shared the cage with Michael Chiesa and Kamaru Usman, further proving his willingness to fight anyone, regardless of their style or ranking.
Impact on the UFC and Modern MMA
Rafael dos Anjos is known for being one of the most durable and experienced fighters in the UFC. He has competed in over 30 UFC fights, earning respect for his longevity and willingness to face top-ranked athletes. Dos Anjos’s title run in the lightweight division, including a dominant performance against Anthony Pettis, marked him as a true champion.
He played a major role in shaping how fighters blend different skills like striking, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His adaptability made him a tough matchup in both lightweight and welterweight divisions. Many younger fighters look up to his complete fight game and consistent professionalism in and out of the octagon.
For deeper insight into his fighting style and career achievements, see this fighter breakdown of Rafael dos Anjos.
