Rafael dos Anjos in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
He just gave it. Brazilian highlight in UFC Orlando, held this Saturday (3), in the United States, Rafael dos Anjos made his weekend challenge look easy. Aggressive opponent Bryan barberena, the Niteroi native took no notice of his rival and, after a dominant first round, achieved victory with a submission via rear naked choke in the second round.
With the victory, Dos Anjos returned to the path of triumphs. Before the UFC Orlando, the athlete was coming off a defeat to Raphael Fiziev in a clash that ended his race for the category title he led between 2015 and 2016.
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With a historic opportunity to face an MMA icon, Barberena had no chance given RDA's experience. The stumble also ended a run of three victories for the North American.
In an interview still in the octagon, Rafael didn't think twice and announced his next challenge. The Brazilian asked for a confrontation against Conor McGregor, a rival he would initially face in 2016, when he would defend his old lightweight belt.
The fight
The confrontation began with Barberena being aggressive, trying to destabilize the Brazilian with kicks to the torso. Dos Anjos responded with a straight shot and, in the first minute, went into a grappling fight. Pressing his opponent against the bars, RDA managed to take him down. On top, the Brazilian started the transitions. The former lightweight champion attempted a katagatame and sought to finish the fight. Bryan resisted, but the situation was tense for the American. Rafael struck his opponent from top to bottom and tried to find space to submit his opponent. After insistence from Niteroi, Barberena managed to leave the position, but Dos Anjos continued to press. In the final seconds, Bryan tried to get up, but Rafael remained 'glued' to his opponent, until the timer reached zero.
In the second round, Bryan took the initiative with a series of high kicks. Afterwards, Dos Anjos responded with a cross, an attack also launched by the North American. In the first minute, Barberena pressed RDA against the bars. Rafael managed to move away and immediately went for his opponent's legs. Dos Anjos tried to take his opponent to the ground, just like the previous stage. With two minutes played, the Niteroi native managed to take down his opponent and, once again, he was in a dominant position. On top, Rafael managed to get to the back and tried the rear naked choke. Barberena tried to resist, but RDA continued to pressure. After insistence from the Brazilian, Bryan gives up.
UFC Orlando Stats
UFC Orlando results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Stephen Thompson derrotou Kevin holland by technical knockout 5m from R4
Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Rafael dos Anjos finished Bryan barberena with a rear naked choke at 3m20s of R2
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Matheus Nicolau derrotou Matt schnell by technical knockout at 1m44s of R2
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Sergei Pavlovich derrotou Tai tuivasa by knockout 56s into R1
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Roman Dolidze derrotou Jack hermansson by technical knockout at 4m06s of R2
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Erik Anders derrotou Kyle Daukaus by technical knockout at 2m45s of R2
Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Phil Rowe derrotou Niko Price by technical knockout at 3m26s of R3
PRELIMINARY CARD
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Angela Hill derrotou Emily ducote in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Clay guida derrotou scott holtzmann in the judges' split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Michael Johnson derrotou Marc Diakiese in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Jonathan Pearce defeated Darren Elkins via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Nathan Levy defeated Genaro Valdez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Francis Marshall derrotou Marcelo red by knockout at 1m14s of R2
Straw weight (up to 52,1kg): Yazmin Jauregui derrotou istela nunes by technical knockout at 4m06s of R2
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