UFC - Rafael Fiziev vs Rafael Dos Anjos | FULL FIGHT | UFC 313
Rafael Fiziev showcased his striking prowess and takedown defense against Rafael dos Anjos in their UFC fight. Despite dos Anjos' experience and attempts to grapple, Fiziev's 95% takedown defense proved effective. The fight was competitive, with dos Anjos landing some significant strikes, but Fiziev's striking, particularly his kicks and combinations, were decisive. In the fifth round, Fiziev landed a powerful knee and left hook combination that knocked dos Anjos out, securing his victory. This win moves Fiziev up in the UFC rankings, highlighting his potential as a top contender in the lightweight division.
Key Points:
- Rafael Fiziev's striking and 95% takedown defense were key to his victory.
- Dos Anjos attempted to use his grappling skills but was largely unsuccessful.
- Fiziev's powerful knee and left hook combination ended the fight in the fifth round.
- The victory boosts Fiziev's ranking and positions him as a strong contender.
- Fiziev's training in Muay Thai and MMA contributed to his effective performance.
Details:
1. 👊 Pre-Fight Instructions
- Ensure fighters understand and remember pre-fight instructions, emphasizing self-protection and obedience to commands.
- Reinforce the importance of protecting oneself at all times during the fight.
- Remind fighters to follow the referee's commands to maintain order and safety.
- Encourage sportsmanship through the gesture of touching gloves before the fight begins.
2. 🥊 Fighter Introductions and Background
2.1. Fighter Introductions
2.2. Fighter Background and Style
3. ⚔️ Opening Strategies and Techniques
- Dos Anos is in his 11th UFC headliner, indicating his experience and status in the sport.
- Gandro expressed confidence in his ability to win, saying, 'I'm not looking past him but I know I'm going to beat him.'
- One of the primary weapons identified for Phiv is his kicks, which are characterized as fast, frequent, and powerful.
- The timing of Phiv's kicks is noted as a significant factor in their effectiveness.
4. 💥 Highlights and Past Performances
- Dos Anjos boasts a 95% takedown defense, showcasing exceptional defensive skills that set him apart in the octagon.
- Despite his defensive strength, there is room for strategic improvement in blending stand-up and grappling, as he has yet to face a well-rounded opponent in this area.
- In 2023, Dos Anjos has remained active, participating in significant fights like the UFC 272 co-main event, which demonstrates his dedication to maintaining a competitive edge.
- At 37, Dos Anjos is strategically focused on becoming a champion, underscoring the urgency of his active fight schedule to avoid any missed opportunities.
- In the UFC 272 fight against Moano, Dos Anjos exhibited dominance throughout, although he needs to improve stamina and closing strategies, as Moano's late comeback highlighted potential areas for enhancement.
5. 🛡️ Defensive Skills and Takedown Defense
5.1. Fight IQ and Strategy
5.2. Takedown Strategy and Techniques
5.3. Training and Skill Development
6. 🤼♂️ Grappling and Striking Exchanges
6.1. Takedown Defense
6.2. Striking Power and Round Impact
6.3. Takedown Attempts and Eye Poke Incident
7. 🥋 Clinches, Breaks, and Combinations
7.1. Fight Strategies and Execution
7.2. Lightweight Division Competitiveness
8. 🔥 Mid-Fight Analysis and Adjustments
- Phiv has effectively handled the well-rounded game of Rafael dos Anjos, particularly excelling in grappling.
- Phiv's physical strength is notable, with a visibly muscular build, providing an advantage in his weight class.
- The corner advises not to block kicks but rather to move out of range, indicating a strategic adjustment aimed at reducing direct impact.
- Despite being credited with a takedown, dos Anjos was unable to capitalize on it, highlighting Phiv's effective defensive strategy.
- During the fight, awareness and strategy are demonstrated as dos Anjos watches the screen to plan his next move, showing adaptability in real-time.
9. 🚀 Round-by-Round Breakdown
- Phiv's takedown defense was highly effective, with a 91% success rate, defending 10 of 11 attempts, while RDA succeeded in only 1 out of 10 attempts, which was not advantageous.
- The fight statistics show Phiv leading slightly in significant strikes, landing 65 compared to Dos Anjos' 49, highlighting his striking efficiency.
- Phiv's corner expressed satisfaction with his performance in the initial rounds, indicating that his strategy was successful and on track.
- Despite being in uncharted territory in the later rounds, Phiv's conditioning allowed him to maintain performance.
- RDA's corner noted a decrease in Phiv's output over time, suggesting a strategy to capitalize on pressure and control.
- As the fight progressed, Phiv adapted by controlling the pace more effectively, using the fence and grappling to his advantage.
10. 🏆 Final Round and Knockout Finish
- Rafael dos Anjos (RDA) leveraged his experience effectively in the final round by maintaining consistent pressure and exploiting his opponent's fatigue, demonstrating his strategic ability to fight effectively in later rounds.
- Rafael Phys executed a precise knockout with a left hook just 18 seconds into the fifth round, emphasizing the crucial role of timing and precision in achieving victory.
- The fight's conclusion underlined the importance of strategic planning, with Rafael Phys' ability to seize the moment leading to a significant rise in rankings.
- The referee, Mark Smith, ensured fighter safety by promptly recognizing the need to stop the fight after the knockout, highlighting the role of officials in combat sports.