UFC Rochester: Rafael dos Anjos has a tough fight, but submits Kevin Lee and returns to dreaming of a belt

R. dos Anjos (photo) has a strategic fight and a good victory over K. Lee. Photo: Reproduction/ Facebook Ufc

The Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos perfectly demonstrated the meaning of the word 'strategy'. Experienced and with a meticulously drawn up plan, the former lightweight champion waited until the fourth round to finish Kevin Lee with a katagatame and rediscover the path to victory. The duel was the main fight of UFC Rochester, this Saturday (18), in New York (USA).

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UFC Rochester: Rafael dos Anjos has a tough fight, but submits Kevin Lee and returns to dreaming of a belt

Coming from two consecutive defeats, the Brazilian, third in the welterweight rankings (up to 77.1 kg.) needed the victory to continue dreaming of the opportunity to compete for the title, which today belongs to the Nigerian Kamaru Usman.

The fight

Kevin Lee He started the fight by attacking the Brazilian, who responded quickly. The North American showed a lot of desire, throwing many blows against Rafael. Dos Anjos accepted the exchange against his opponent, but was at a disadvantage. Lee's blows often landed cleanly on the athlete's face. Halfway through the round, Kevin started trying to take down the brazier, who defended his opponent's attacks well. During the clinch, Dos Anjos managed to connect some knees to Lee's abdomen, who seemed uncomfortable with the blows. At the end of the stage, the Brazilian got a good takedown on the North American and tried to land a guillotine choke, but to no avail.

The second assault began with the same intensity. The athletes exchanged blows in the center of the octagon. Kevin then managed to land a nice takedown on the Brazilian, who defended himself by trying to apply a guillotine choke. Around the third minute, Rafael managed to connect a kick to Lee's head, shaking the American. After the blow, Dos Anjos managed a takedown, but Kevin got up easily. Once again, the North American pressed Rafael against the bars and tried to take him down, causing the fight to cool off. As time went by, Kevin seemed to no longer have the same physical vigor as at the beginning of the fight, which proved to be in the Brazilian's favor. At the end of the round, the athletes began to exchange hard blows and Lee, once again, attempted the takedown until time ran out.

In the third round, Rafael tried a flying knee right from the start, which landed on the North American's ribs. The 'owner of the house', despite being tired, showed a great ability to absorb blows. When trying to throw a punch, Lee was surprised by a perfect dodge from Dos Anjos, and suffered a fall. He then managed to get up and returned the attack on the Brazilian. The attacks alternated. The fighters exchanged good and bad moments during the fight, drawing applause from the public. The round ended with an advantage for the Brazilian.

Visibly worn out, the athletes no longer had the same speed as at the beginning. Right at the beginning of the stage, the fight was interrupted by an illegal kick from Lee. Upon return, Kevin looked for Rafael's legs, trying for another takedown. The Brazilian remained attentive and managed to avoid the attack again. Dos Anjos began to become more hostage to Kevin's attacks on his legs. In one of the attempts, Lee missed a takedown and Rafael managed to land mounted. Dos Anjos then took advantage of the opportunity and managed to land a beautiful katagatame, forcing the North American to withdraw.

UFC Rochester results

MAIN CARD

Welterweight Weight: Rafael dos Anjos finished Kevin Lee with a katagatame at .3m47s of R4

Average weight: Ian Heinisch derrotou Antonio Shoe Guy in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Feather weight: Felicia spencer finished Megan anderson with a rear naked choke 3m34s from R1

Welterweight Weight: Vincent Luque defeated Derrick Krantz via TKO at 3:52 of R1

Lightweight: Charles of the Bronx derrotou Nik lentz by technical knockout at 2:11 of R2

Lightweight: Davi ramos derrotou Austin Hubbard in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Bantamweight: Aspen ladd derrotou sijara eubanks by unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 29-27, 29-28)

Lightweight: Desmond Green defeated Charles Jourdain by unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Welterweight Weight: Michael Pereira derrotou Danny Roberts by knockout at 1m47s of R1

Feather weight: Grant dawson finished Mike Trizano with a rear naked choke at 2m27s of R2

Light heavyweight: Ed Herman defeated Patrick Cummins by TKO at 3:39 of R1

Middleweight: Zak Cummings defeated Trevin giles by submission at 4m01s ​​of R3

Feather weight: Julio Maple derrotou julian erosa by knockout at 1m49s of R3