Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev: UFC Fight Night Odds, Prediction

Former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos rides a steady two-fight win streak heading into UFC Vegas 58. However, dos Anjos lags as a +165 underdog on the UFC Fight Night odds. Rafael Fiziev leads the way as a solid -230 favourite to tally a sixth straight win.

Rafael dos Anjos Fight Night Odds

Consistency has eluded dos Anjos since seeing his brief reign as UFC lightweight champion end six years ago. The 37-year-old UFC veteran has earned the win in just three of his past seven contests. He has gone 6-6-0 during a 12-fight run that began with a stunning first-round TKO loss to Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 90 that cost him the UFC lightweight belt.

While dos Anjos has failed to produce steady results, his struggles have come against top-flight opponents. In the wake of losing the title, the talented Brazilian made a move to the UFC welterweight division. He initially enjoyed early success at welterweight before suffering unanimous decision losses to Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards, and Michael Chiesa. Things have gone better in two fights since his return to lightweight. Dos Anjos eked out a five-round split decision over Paul Felder at UFC Vegas 14. He then followed up with a dominating unanimous decision win over Renato Moicano at UFC 272, lifting him to No. 7 on the UFC lightweight rankings.

Going the distance is nothing new for dos Anjos, who has seen 16 of his 31 career wins come by decision. He has also seen nine of his past 11 contests settled by the judges, with seven of those clashes going a full five rounds. Dos Anjos has also rediscovered his ground game since departing the welterweight division, executing 11 total takedowns over his two recent wins, and racking up over 27 minutes of control time in this contests.

Rafael Fiziev Fight Night Odds

Since suffering a crushing first-round KO loss to Magomed Mustafaev in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 149, Fiziev has turned things around with five straight wins that have vaulted him to No. 10 in the UFC lightweight rankings. “Ataman” is coming off a sensational third-round KO win over Brad Riddell at UFC Vegas 44 that earned him a fourth straight performance bonus.

Saturday night’s contest will mark the fourth straight fight in which Fiziev is pegged as betting chalk, and with good reason. The 29-year-old Kazakhstan native earned a reputation as a speedy finisher during his early days as a pro fighter in Asia. And while his lone career loss to Mustafaev provided a hard lesson, Fiziev has responded by adapting his game and showing more patience.

Already known as a fearsome striker, Fiziev has steadily developed his grappling skills during his current win streak, and sports an impressive 95 per cent takedown defence. But while he has seen four of his past five contests settled by the judges, Fiziev lacks experience in championship round action.

UFC Fight Night Prediction: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev

While a victory on Saturday would propel Fiziev into the title shot conversation, he should expect to have his hands full against a patient and wily veteran with an impressive arsenal at his disposal. Simply put, the longer this fight goes, the more it will favour dos Anjos, who has not been knocked down since suffering a KO loss to Jeremy Stephens in his UFC debut almost 14 years ago.

Prediction: Rafael dos Anjos by Points or Technical Decision (+275)