Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev are crossing at the right time.
Saturday’s UFC Vegas 58 features not only two of the best lightweights in the world: “RDA” is No. 7 in MMA Fighting’s global ranking, No. 10 in Fiziev, but also two contenders who could be knocking on the door from a shot to the title with a memorable performance.
Dos Anjos, a former UFC champion, has maintained for a long time that even as he approaches his 38th birthday, he has not given up fighting once again for a belt. After a 170-pound run that saw him compete for the provisional gold, the Brazilian veteran has gone 2-0 since he lost weight again. If he faces Fiziev, he will line up for an even higher challenge in the near future.
The stakes for Fiziev are obvious. His spectacular knockout of Brad Riddell last December gave him a distinctive win over one of the top 15 opponents and quality names like Bobby Green and Renato Moicano have also been part of his streak of five straight wins, but eliminating a fighter who have you actually had a title in the deepest division of MMA? You can then mark him as one of the top 5 opponents.
In another major card action, promising middleweights Caio Borralho and Armen Petrosyan are in a clash of styles, blueweight Said Nurmagomedov faces his biggest challenge so far on Douglas Silva de Andrade, the heavyweight Jared Vanderaa and Chase Sherman seek to stop their skids. Cynthia Calvillo welcomes Nina Nunes to the flyweight division and Michael Johnson makes his 26th UFC appearance when he fights Jamie Mullarkey in a light fight.
What: UFC Vegas 58
On: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, July 9th. The preliminary six-fight card begins at 6 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN +, followed by a six-fight main card at 9 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN +.
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev
Few fighters in the game are more complete than Rafael two Angels, but will it be enough to turn off the dangerous Rafael Fiziev?
“GDR” will not stray from a cut, even considering Fiziev’s well-earned reputation as an infinitely creative striker. The former lightweight champion has exceptional boxing and is not out of the possibility of beating Fiziev on his feet. That said, as most have assumed, Two Angels is best served by mixing on its first platform to prevent Fiziev from entering his comfort zone.
From what we’ve seen, Fiziev has the elimination defense to keep this fight where he wants it to be, though he still doesn’t have to face an opponent with the combination of experience and two-angel jiu-jitsu experience. . Not only must he prove that he can stand up straight, but he can fight and get up again in case two Angels knock him down.
Here’s an eight-year age difference, which also translates into an athletic gap in Fiziev’s favor and that’s why I like his opportunities. It has not yet been tested in a five-round game, but the initial damage it does in this fight should offset any cardiovascular advantage that two Angels may have in subsequent rounds. It will be a close and possibly controversial set of score cards, but I have Fiziev winning a decision.
Tria: Fiziev
Caio Borralho Vs. Armen Petrosyan
Let’s not think about it: this is a classic confrontation between fighters and strikers.
Caio Borralho is a black Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt tested by Demian Maia with a ground play that puts the same emphasis on damage and position. Armen Petrosyan is a goal scorer (as his name suggests, though not confusingly related to the famous Petrosyan brothers of kickboxing Giorgio and Armen) and showed great balance in his UFC debut against Gregory Rodrigues, who was only his eighth MMA fight.
If he stays upright, it will be something entertaining, as Borralho has a penchant for showy punches even if that means deviating from his basic discipline. In this scenario, however, you have to lean towards the more technical Petrosyan.
Petrosyan’s elimination defense didn’t look great against Rodrigues and he was probably lucky to get out of that confrontation with a split settlement. If Rodrigues had mixed more martial arts, Petrosyan might not have reached the judges ’decision. Don’t expect Borralho to make the same mistake.
Eraser by presentation.
Selection: Borralho
Douglas Silva de Andrade v. Said Nurmagomedov
Said Nurmagomedov has not shown many significant weaknesses in his UFC career so far, but has struggled to fight with his back foot. This is something that the typically aggressive Douglas Silva de Andrade can take advantage of.
On defense, Nurmagomedov is able to land harmful counters, but once the distance is completely closed, it can be damaged inside. Fortunately for him, he also has a strong fight so he can change the complexion of the fight this way if Silva de Andrade makes it messy. And if Nurmagomedov keeps Silva de Andrade at bay, he will make a decision.
Silva de Andrade has only lost to the quality 135ers, a list that only includes Petr Yan and Rob Font. Nurmagomedov’s talent lives up to these names, but he has to show extra gear to tackle Silva de Andrade’s offensive mentality.
My prediction for this attractive rooster weight showdown is that Nurmagomedov shows more of his struggle to keep Silva de Andrade under control and tire him out, preparing him for a late presentation.
Selection: Nurmagomedov
Jared Vanderaa against Chase Sherman
Jared Vanderaa and Chase Sherman are with their backs to the walls.
In their last five outings, Vanderaa is 1-4. On the other hand, Sherman has lost four fights in a row and was in fact recently released before being returned immediately to serve as a short-term opponent for the truly terrifying Alexandr Romanov last April. In short, these guys need a win.
Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Vanderaa, more complete, could win the decision by setting his jab and threatening Sherman with elimination. But conventional wisdom is boring, so I choose chaos. I trio in Sherman throwing caution to the wind and letting go of his hands to turn this fight into a party.
Right now, as this is heavyweight, it’s about to release, but Sherman is the most proven knockout artist and I hope the narrative strengthens on Saturday. I could spend 30 seconds in round 1 or with 10 seconds left in round 3, all I know is that I get the feeling Sherman surprises the doubters with a big KO.
Selection: Sherman
Cynthia Calvillo against Nina Nunes
It is basically a straw weight fight where the fighters did not overcome the rigors of extreme weight reduction and more power for it.
Cynthia Calvillo was a legitimate candidate with 115 pounds, but she was repeatedly hit by the ladder and made the wise decision to jump to 125. Nina Nunes is making her UFC debut with 125 pounds after a strong race of straw weight that included victories over Claudia. Gadelha and Angela Hill, plus a competitive defeat to Tatiana Suarez (who hasn’t fought since) in June 2019.
I have always believed in the potential of Calvillo. He brings an aggressive fighting style to the cage and has a decent pop in his hands, although his striking technique does not accumulate to the best in any of the divisions in which he has competed. This includes Nunes, who has always been sharp in the game. feet and difficult to save. She will frustrate Calvillo with her distance control and turn up the volume in the second half of the fight.
Still, I don’t see Nunes stopping Calvillo’s knockdowns for three rounds. Calvillo is also a busy fighter on the ground, so she will accumulate a lot of points on the scorecards on the way to a much needed decision.
Selection: Calvillo
Michael Johnson v. Jamie Mullarkey
Michael Johnson has fought and beat the best of the best. On Saturday, he has a developing wrestler in front of him, the kind of challenge he hasn’t faced since he positioned himself as Justin Gaethje’s first opponent in the UFC. Jamie Mullarkey is known for his constant pressure and will try to overwhelm Johnson.
The more experienced Johnson has always had quick hands and good knockout power, but I’m curious to see how he reacts if his best shots don’t make Mullarkey out early. Mullarkey makes excellent use of head movement to move the target as it moves forward, and then knows when to charge if it smells of blood. The harder this fight, the more I hope Mullarkey gains confidence and moves away.
Look for Mullarkey to beat Johnson’s good start and find the end in round 3.
Selection: Mullarkey
Ricky Turcis def. Aiemann Zahabi
Cortney Casey defeat. Antonina Shevchenko
In the third Gore defeated. Cody Brundage
David Onama defeated. Garrett Armfield
Kennedy Nzechukwu defeated. Karl Roberson
Ronnie Lawrence defeated. Saidyokub Kakhramonov