Rafael dos Anjos takes a 'cold water shower' and is knocked out by Fiziev at UFC Las Vegas 58

R. Dos Anjos (right) was surpassed by R. Fiziev (left) in the UFC Las Vegas 58. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC

A 'cold water shower' among Brazilian fans marked the main fight of the UFC Las Vegas 58, held this Saturday (9). Protagonist in the event, Rafael dos Anjos fought strategically against the dangerous Raphael Fiziev, but ended up surprised by his rival's brute strength in the final seconds of the last round. The duel ended after a clean cross forced the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg) to fall, resulting in the knockout.

With the result, Dos Anjos momentarily says goodbye to his dream of resuming his status as a challenger for the title of the division he led between 2015 and 2016. With the stumble, the Brazilian also loses his first commitment since returning to lightweight.

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Party owner UFC Las Vegas 58, Fiziev has plenty of reasons to celebrate. The triumph over the Niteroi native will bring the Kyrgyzstan closer to the top 5. Before facing RDA, the athlete was in 10th position.

The fight

The confrontation began with Fiziev taking the initiative with a kick to the Brazilian's waistline. The Brazilian responded in kind. The clash remained tense, with the fighters exchanging blows in the center of the Octagon. Still in the first minute, RDA hit his opponent with a clean right to the face. Afterwards, the Niteroi native attacked the Kyrgyzstani's legs and pressed his rival against the bars. Halfway through the stage, Fiziev managed to free himself and threw punches and kicks, which ended up in the Tupiniquim's guard. Near the final minute, the former lightweight champion once again looked for his opponent's legs and attempted a takedown. The Kyrgyzstani defended himself and avoided going to the ground with the Tupiniquim. Fiziev moved away again and started attacking the Tupiniquim with combinations of rights, crosses and kicks, but there was no more time.

In the second stage, Fiziev launched the first blow, with a high kick that went empty. Dos Anjos returned the attack, but was blocked by his rival. With almost two minutes gone, RDA 'flew' at his opponent's legs and tried to take him down. Fiziev protected himself, while the Niteroi native pressed. The Kyrgyzstani freed himself and threatened with cross combinations. In the final minute, Fiziev surprised the Brazilian with a straight shot, but the former champion was unfazed. The stage ended with the athletes studying each other.

The third round began with Fiziev attacking with crosses, but the blows stopped in the former champion's guard. The Kyrgyzstani tried to move away, but the Brazilian remained 'glued' and pressing the athlete against the bars. After the pressure, Fiziev managed to move away, but, again, RDA went for a grappling fight. Once again, the athletes moved away and began exchanging blows in the center of the octagon. In the final minute, Fiziev risked a flying knee, which grazed RDA's face. The Kyrgyzstani loosened his grip and combined kicks and punches, but the timer ran to zero.

In the fourth round, the Kyrgyzstani attacked first with a 'tip', which was defended by the Brazilian. Afterwards, RDA went to his legs and started to press his opponent against the bars. Fiziev showed technique in the Brazilian's takedown defenses and managed to frustrate the former champion's actions. After almost two minutes, the Brazilian threw a flying knee, but his rival absorbed the attack well. The athletes moved away around minute two and returned to exchanging blows in the center of the Octagon. Near the final minute, RDA shortened the game and managed a nice takedown on his opponent. Good top, the Brazilian pressed and prevented his opponent from getting up. In the final seconds, the Kyrgyzstani managed to stay on his feet, but there was no more time.

In the opening seconds of the last round, Fiziev connected with a clean cross to RDA's face, who immediately collapsed. Noticing the Brazilian's condition, the referee interrupted the clash.

UFC Las Vegas 58 Stats

UFC Las Vegas 58 results

MAIN CARD (22 p.m. Brasília time)

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Raphael Fiziev derrotou Rafael dos Anjos by knockout at 18sec. from R5

Average weight: Caio Borralho derrotou Armen petrosyan in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Bantamweight: Said Nurmagomedov derrotou Douglas D'Silva in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Heavyweight: Chase sherman derrotou Jared Vanderaa by knockout 3m10s of R3

Bantamweight: Aiemann Zahabi defeated Ricky Turcios via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey derrotou Michael Johnson in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (19 p.m. Brasília time)

Average weight: Cody Brundage defeated Tresean Gore by TKO 3:50 into R1

Fly weight: Antonina Shevchenko defeated Cortney Casey via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Feather weight: david onama finished Garrett Armfield with a katagatame 3m13s into R2

Light Heavyweight: Kennedy Nzechukwu derrotou Karl Robertson by technical knockout at 2m19s of R3

Bantamweight: Saidyokub Kakhramonov defeated Ronnie Lawrence in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)