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Finally, once again the UFC is ready for a big battle. After failing twice before, once again a light clash between Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev as the headliner for the fight night event on July 9.
Initially, it was booked in February against Rafael dos Anjos of Brazil and Rafael Riziev of Kyrgyzstan, but the match was postponed for a month because Riziev had some problems with his visa. But a month later, Riziev had to withdraw from the competition due to a positive test for COVID-19. After Riziev's exit, Dos Anjos remained on the UFC 272 card and decided five rounds against Renato Carneiro. The former 155-pound champion has won two straight bouts since returning to the division 4-4 in Welterweight.
Riziev (11-1) received a warm welcome at the UFC when Magomed Mustafaev kicked him in the Phantom Zone in April 2019. Since that first defeat, "Ataman" has been nothing short of spectacular, winning five in a row with two high-light reel Knockouts.
Former UFC lightweight champion Dos Angeles, on the other hand, appears to be in the winning column after falling to 155 pounds after eight fight runs at Welterweight. The Brazilian returned to the lightweight division in November 2020, defeating Paul Fielder by a landslide. He defeated Fiziev's replacement, Renato Moicano, by a unanimous decision in UFC 272, but the fight was fought at a catch weight of 160 pounds.
Although Dos Anjos is still dangerous, Fiziev is probably the most explosive fighter. Given the age of the Brazilian veteran, it is likely that the Kyrgyzstani will be able to land big shots to stay or win the decision.
Overall, this is a very difficult fight to choose, but given the sheer experience of the 'RDA' - as well as the fact that they are looking their best against Moicano this year - to look behind It's difficult.
The Pick: Rafael dos Anjos via second round submission
The latest UFC Fight Night lineup for July 9 includes:
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Nina Nunes
Cortney Casey vs. Antonina Shevchenko
Josh Fremd vs. Tresean Gore
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Jamie Pickett
Caio Borralho vs. Armen Petrosyan
Cody Garbrandt vs. Rani Yahya
