R. dos Anjos (left) is defeated by L. Edwards (right) at UFC San Antonio. Photo: Related/Instagram @ufc
The Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos he didn't have the night of his dreams at UFC San Antonio, which took place this Saturday (20), in the United States. The former lightweight champion encountered difficulties with his greater size. Leon edwards and ended up defeated, after five rounds, with a unanimous decision by the judges. The setback takes the Brazilian away from his dream fight for the welterweight belt (up to 77kg), which currently belongs to the Nigerian. Kamaru Usman.
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Rafael, who had gone through a difficult time within the organization, after suffering two consecutive setbacks, had recovered by beating Kevin Lee, in May this year. The Brazilian athlete (fourth in the ranking) stated that he accepted the challenge of facing Leon (12th in the ranking) because he did not want to wait for the champion, who is recovering from surgery to correct a herniated disc.
The fight against the former lightweight champion for Edwards served as a big boost within the division, as the Englishman is expected to jump many positions in the UFC rankings.
Even with all the difficulties in the fight, Rafael showed a lot of courage to withstand the pressure imposed by Leon. However, at the end of the five rounds, the judges decided to declare Edwards as the winner of the fight.
This was the 12th defeat of the career of Dos Anjos, aged 34, who has 29 victories.
Leon, 27, in turn, won his 18th achievement, the 8th in a row. The Englishman's record contains three setbacks.
The fight
The fight began with Edwards risking punch combinations, which exploded safely into the Brazilian's guard. Visibly with a greater reach, the Englishman took advantage of his larger size to take down Rafael in the first minute of the fight. Leon started to try for the submission, but Rafael blocked Edwards' attacks well. The Niteroi native tried to use the bars to defend himself and hit his opponent from below. Dos Anjos managed to get up and started trying to hit Leon. Having difficulty finding the distance, Rafael threw many blows that were empty. Leon sought grappling, which reduced greater emotions in combat.
In the second stage, the Englishman also took the initiative in the fight. Right from the start, Edwards threw a low kick at the Niteroi native's legs, who responded with a series of punches. Leon's wingspan visibly favored the athlete, who was able to reach the Brazilian more easily at long distances. The fighters began exchanging blows in the center of the octagon and, after a few attempts, Dos Anjos lunged at his opponent's legs looking for a takedown, but the Englishman managed to defend well. Two three minutes into the fight, the Brazilian managed to land a good low kick, which rocked Edwards and took the athlete to the ground. Rafael tried to take advantage of the situation and seek the submission. Leon managed to defend himself well and returned to fighting on the feet. Edwards managed to land a good elbow on his opponent's face, which opened a deep wound in the Niteroi native's right eye, resulting in bleeding that obstructed the Brazilian's vision.
In the third stage, as expected, Leon began trying to reach Rafael's cut, seeking an interruption or causing the bleeding to increase. Alternating punches and kicks, the Englishman remained superior in the fight. Edwards' blows began to shake the Brazilian, who tried to respond, but without much efficiency. Rafael started trying to take down his opponent, but Leon was attentive and efficiently defended the Brazilian's attacks.
The fourth stage continued busy. Rafael continued to insist on low kicks, which went empty. Leon was still able to hit Rafael's face with some ease. After a sequence of punches, Dos Anjos' eye began to bleed again, which, once again, began to impair the Niteroi native's vision. The Brazilian tried to frame the Englishman against the fence, but Edwards remained focused and managed to free himself from the former lightweight champion's attacks. After three minutes, the fighters began to box in the center of the octagon, but the Brazilian continued to get the worst of it. After attempting a flying knee, Dos Anjos was caught by his opponent and placed on the ground. The athlete managed to get up, but there was no more time for anything.
In the final stage, Rafael needed to make up for the losses suffered in the previous stages. Dos Anjos continued trying to find his opponent's face with blows, but the opponent's size hindered the Niteroi native's success. Once again Edwards tried to grab the Brazilian's legs, who defended well. With two minutes left in the fight, the athletes began exchanging blows and trying for a knockout, but, in the final minute, Leon tried to take down the Niteroi native again, who was trying to defend himself as best he could.
UFC San Antonio results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Leon edwards derrotou Rafael dos Anjos in the unanimous decision of the judges (49-46 50-49 49-46)
Heavy weight (up to 120kg): Walt Harris derrotou alexey oleynik by knockout at 12s of R1
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Greg hardy defeated Juan Adams by knockout at 45s of R1
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Dan Hooker defeated James Vick by knockout at 2:33 of R1
Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Alexander Hernandez derrotou Francisco Massaranduba in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27 29-28 30-27)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Andrei Arlovski defeated Ben Rothwell via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Alex Caceres defeated Steven Peterson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Rachel Pennington derrotou Irene aldana in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Klidson Abreu derrotou Sam alvey in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Jennifer maia defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Ray Borg defeated Gabriel silva in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): mario bautista defeated Jim Soo Son via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Felipe Cabocão defeated Domingo Pilarte via split decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28)
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