'Ultimate Fighter Finale': Rafael dos Anjos needs solid win vs. Kamaru Usman
When Rafael dos Anjos lost the lightweight title to Eddie Alvarez in 2016, he was a shell of the man who had won it 17 months earlier. His body simply wasn’t equipped any more to cut to 155 pounds, and it showed by the way dos Anjos competed in the July 7, 2016, fight in Las Vegas with Alvarez.
After a move to welterweight and consecutive wins over Trace Saffiedine, Neil Magny and Robbie Lawlor, dos Anjos seemed poised for another title. He met Colby Covington in Chicago on June 9 for the interim welterweight crown, and believes now as he did going into the match that he could have won it.
But he had injuries that hampered him and left him in a suboptimal state heading into the bout. He was reluctant to talk about it, but when he lost a unanimous decision, it was hard to suffer in silence.
“I believe I’m a better fighter [than Covington] and to be the way I was that night and fight as [well as I did], I think it shows something,” dos Anjos said. “I have no complaints about that fight. He did a good job, but I know I can be better. I think what I proved to myself is that I am good enough to be the champion again when I’m at my best.”
In the modern UFC, though, being good enough to win a title isn’t as rare as it used to be. The Top 10 in each division is stacked with fighters who are capable of beating anyone else at that class.
Thus, it’s about opportunity and taking advantage of it as much as it is about talent. The UFC is frequently using backups for its main events, having a fighter high in the rankings train and then make weight so if something happens late to one of the main event participants, they’re prepared.
So fighters feel the pressure of pushing through injuries because they know how precious that title shot can be. The champions have the best earning potential, both inside and outside the cage, so the opportunity to fight for the belts is so significant.
On Friday in Las Vegas at “The Ultimate Fighter Finale,” dos Anjos will face Kamaru Usman, a fight which figures to give him the best chance to get back to a title shot.
Usman is 13-1 overall and on a 12-fight winning streak. He’s 8-0 in the UFC and is coming off an impressive victory over Demian Maia.
Dos Anjos is ranked third at welterweight, with only champion Tyron Woodley, Covington and No. 2 Darren Till ahead of him. Covington is going to fight Woodley for the welterweight belt, and Till has announced he’s moving to middleweight.
That puts dos Anjos in the driver’s seat. An impressive win over Usman, who is ranked No. 5, will give him a strong argument to face the Woodley-Covington winner.
No. 4 Stephen Thompson is coming off a loss to Till, and has had two title shots. Usman hasn’t fought for the title yet. The wild card is UFC newcomer Ben Askren, who is going to fight No. 6 Robbie Lawler next year. Askren would probably vault to the head of the class if he defeats Lawler, but if he loses, it’s going to be a wild scramble.
“I’ve been in the UFC for 10 years and I think each year, you can see the progress and see that I have gotten better,” dos Anjos said. “I’ve fought a lot with the wrestlers and I’ve worked hard on that. I really feel I’ve become a complete fighter now and I can compete wherever the fight goes.”
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