Back at lightweight and with his eyes on his old title, Rafael dos Anjos faces Paul Felder at UFC Las Vegas 14

R. Dos Anjos (left) and P. Felder (right) made a friendly face to the UFC Las Vegas 14. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Back home. This Saturday (14), at UFC Las Vegas 14, Rafael dos Anjos makes his long-awaited return to the lightweight category (up to 70,3kg), where he experienced the best moment of his career. With an opponent changed at the last minute, the Brazilian will exchange forces against Paul felder in the main fight. In addition to the RDA confrontation, the event will feature 10 more presentations.

See too

Rafael dos Anjos makes weight without any problems and confirms his return to lightweight against Paul Felder this Saturday

Rafael dos Anjos celebrates Paul Felder as Makhachev's replacement this Saturday: 'More exciting'

Even accepting a fight at the last minute, Paul Felder warns Rafael dos Anjos: 'It's going to be violent'

Rafael dos Anjos is favorite against Paul Felder at UFC Vegas 14

Known worldwide as one of the men who held the desired position, which today belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rafael 'returns home' after almost three years competing in the welterweight division (up to 77kg.). Initially, the Brazilian would face Islam makhachev, candidate to succeed the current champion. However, the Russian ended up leaving the event due to injury and was promptly replaced by Felder, who accepted the challenge.

PUBLICITY:

In addition to Dos Anjos, Brazil will have two more representatives, distributed on the main and preliminary cards. In the first half of the show, Geraldo de Freitas, the 'Espartano', will be the first Tupiniquim to climb into the Octagon. On Monday, Antonio Arroyo will take the yellow-green to the battle arena.

Dos Anjos x Felder

When he made the decision to return to lightweight, Rafael dos Anjos He welcomed the opportunity to exchange forces against one of the biggest promises in the category. Islam makhachev, 12th in the rankings, was the ideal opponent for the Brazilian to return in style. However, as fate would have it, the story would be different.

PUBLICITY:

The Russian's withdrawal from the event, however, ended up not being bad for Dos Anjos. Felder, who has been retired since February, and agreed to face the Niteroi native, still occupies seventh place in the group and, if he loses, he could immediately take the Brazilian to the top of the division.

Although he has a great opportunity on his hands, Rafael also has another important goal in Ultimate. Former champion of the category, RDA needs to get back on track and recover its good form. Currently, the athlete has four setbacks in the last four appearances.

PUBLICITY:

Just like the Brazilian, Paul is also coming off a defeat. In his last performance, in February, the North American ended up being surpassed by Dan Hooker in one of the best fights of 2020, so far.

More Brazil

In addition to Rafael, the main card will feature another Brazilian athlete. Representative of the middleweights (up to 83,9kg.), Antonio Arroyo has a commitment against Erik Anders. The man from Pará is looking for his first positive result since his UFC debut. Revealed by 'Dana White's Contender Series', the athlete ended up surpassed by Andrew Muniz on his debut in November last year.

First Brazilian to step into the octagon this weekend, Geraldo de Freitas, the 'Espartano', will seek his second triumph with the Ultimate gloves. In two appearances, the combatant won one victory and lost the other, in August last year. This weekend, on the preliminary card, the bantamweight (up to 61,2kg) will try to overcome Tony Gravely, who is looking to win his first in the UFC.

PUBLICITY: