At the UFC Apex over the weekend, we had a thrilling card for UFC Vegas 58. The entire card was headlined by the former UFC Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos against a dangerous contender Rafael Fiziev.
Fiziev put on a phenomenal performance up until the final round, so let’s go ahead and highlight the main event for this week’s UFC recap.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev
UFC Lightweight Main Event Bout
Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev Odds Recap
Entering fight night, Fiziev was the juiced favored with UFC odds at -220 and dos Anjos the underdog at +175 at your top-rated sportsbooks.
In my UFC Best Bet, I envisioned dos Anjos being an incredibly valuable underdog. He is an incredibly durable and technical fighter who I thought would be able to withhold everything Fiziev had.
Well, Fiziev proved his -220 worth, even if it was until the fifth round.
Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev Fight Recap
Round 1
The contenders took the octagon and began the round trading kicks. RDA landed a solid body kick; he barely clipped Fisiev’s head with a kick but allowed through with a pair of left hands.
RDA decided to switch levels but failed. They’re against the fence two minutes in.
Fiziev separated. He attempted a flying knee, missed, but followed through and landed a nice right cross. RDA with some more kicks. Fiziev answered back and landed with a body kick and another flying knee attempt. His low to high combinations were visible.
RDA tried to switch levels again only to end up against the fence, once again. They elbow and break; Fiziev with another elbow attempt. A solid combination to end the round.
Round 2
Dos Anjos began the round with a body kick. Fiziev answered in the same manner. They get tied up and an eye poke for RDA. Fiziev with an uppercut and left cross. Another takedown attempt from RDA but failed again. They separated and RDA landed a solid jab. Another body kick.
Fiziev was throwing in some more low-high combinations; body kicks, jabs, hooks. RDA once again pushed Fiziev against the fence. He landed a knee. They separated and RDA landed some uppercuts.
Fiziev with hooks and uppercuts. Low kicks from RDA; kicks from Fiziev! What an exciting round!
Round 3
Things are picking up and you can see damage building up on RDA; he had a cut on his arm from blocking a kick.
Again, RDA shot for a takedown and was successful, but Fiziev gradually worked his way back up. It is clearly impossible to bring this guy to the mat. Fiziev landed some more kicks; RDA with a stiff jab and some knees.
With two minutes to go, Fiziev landed some more heavy right hands. RDA shot and pressured Fiziev up against the fence again and they traded knees inside the pocket.
Some more leg kicks by RDA; Fiziev with another flying knee attempt and missed, and followed through with a left hook.
Two stiff jabs for RDA, but Fiziev had an immediate counter of his own. They’re exchanging! Dos Anjos with a body kick; Fiziev with a pair of kicks of his own. RDA finished the round with a solid body kick.
Round 4
Now we enter the championship rounds and the trading began early. RDA was quick to put Fiziev against the fence, almost as if this was his tactic to survive those gnarly punches and kicks.
A flying knee and left cross by RDA. This time, Fiziev brought RDA to the fence before separating.
Again, a failed takedown attempt from RDA. He attempted to sweep but ate a right punch. A completed takedown attempt from RDA, but they got to their feet and Fiziev landed a nasty elbow. This doesn’t look too good.
Don’t Blink
Round 5
Ding and the final round began. RDA landed a clean jab cross, but Fiziev answered with a ferocious overhand left that wobbled RDA’s legs!!
Fiziev jumped on top to make sure his opponent was down until referee Mark Smith called a stop to the fight.
Rafael Fiziev defeated Rafael dos Anjos via T/KO, R5 00:18
UFC Vegas 58 Full Card Results
Main Card
- (Main Event) Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev – Fiziev via T/KO R5, 00:18
- (Co-Main Event) Caio Borralho vs. Armen Petrosyan – Borralho via Decision
- Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Said Nurmagomedov – Nurmagomedov via Decision
- Jared Vanderaa vs. Chase Sherman – Sherman via T/KO, R3 3:10
- Aiemann Zahabi vs. Ricky Turcios – Zahabi via Decision
- Michael Johnson vs. Jamie Mullarkey – Mullarkey via Decision
Preliminary Card
- Cody Brundage vs. Tresean Gore – Brundage via T/KO, R1 3:50
- Antonina Shevchenko vs. Cortney Casey – Shevchenko via Decision
- David Onama vs. Garrett Armfield – Obama via Submission, R2 3:13
- Kennedy Kzechukwu vs. Karl Roberson – Nzechukwu via T/KO, R3 2:19
- Ronnie Lawrence vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov – Kakhramonov via Decision
What’s Next on the UFC Schedule?
Up next on the UFC calendar is an even more exciting card at UBS Arena for UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Rodriguez on Saturday, July 16.
This entire card will be headlined by two intense featherweight contenders Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodríuez as the winner will go on to be a championship contender.
In the co-main event, the karate hottie Michelle Waterson will be back in the octagon against a dangerous Amanda Lemos. Will Lemos have what it takes to add another victory to her belt? Or will she get tied up again like in her previous bout against Jessica Andrade?
Tune in to our weekly UFC picks content to help you make your best bets and predictions for every UFC fight night. Best of Luck
UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Rodriguez Odds
- Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodríguez (Main Event)
- Michelle Waterson vs. Amanda Lemos (Co-Main Event)
- Li Jingliang vs. Muslim Salikhov
- Matthew Schnell vs. Su Mudaerji
- Shane Burgos vs. Charles Jourdain
- Lauren Murphy vs. Meisha Tate
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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