Who do you think will win Friday’s fight between Rafael dos Anjos and Kamaru Usman?
Frank Hyden, Columnist – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I think Usman takes the decision. I like dos Anjos but I think the pressure and grappling of Usman will be too much. I’m not expecting a particularly good fight but I hope I’m wrong there. I don’t think either man will be finished so it goes to a decision and that Usman wins a close but clear decision.
Christian Moore, MMATorch Contributor
I think Kamaru Usman handles him well. Usman to me is like Colby Covington, but a better grappler and a much better striker. That being said, Covington didn’t destroy Rafael dos Anjos, he just held him against the cage for 5 rounds. I think Usman being the better fighter will find a finish, and should be the backup for Covington/Woodley, and the next challenger for the winner. However, if Covington some how wins, which he won’t, and Askren wins against Lawler, which he should, I would guess that’s the fight. Either way, Usman fights Woodley next, either for the belt or not.
Cole Henry, Live Events Reporter
Kamaru Usman. Raphael dos Anjos is a highly skilled fighter but I do think we have seen the best that we will see out of him as a welterweight. Usman is a big wrestler, who only seems to be improving. I think his size advantage and wrestling pedigree will be enough for him to get the job done.
Dylan Bowker, Canadian Events Reporter
This fight makes a lot of sense in a compelling welterweight division. With bouts like Askren-Lawler and presumably Woodley-Covington coming up, elite 170lb-ers are trying to jockey for a good position as the weight class shakes itself out. This bout could jettison the winner to where they’re teetering on the precipice of getting a title shot. I think stylistically, the story of this fight could unfurl with Usman securing a grappling heavy unanimous decision win with a lot of top control time. I also think an Usman win situates someone into a title shot role a bit more comfortably. RDA’s recent decision loss to Covington could result in him being matched with a Till or Wonderboy even in the event Dos Anjos secures a win. Whereas Usman has a multi fight win streak and a win here would make it 13 straight (without his Ultimate Fighter exhibition wins factored in). That consideration would make it difficult to book him in anything other than a championship bout going forward. RDA can never be slept on but I have Usman via grinding UD.
Sean Covington, Columnist – Covington’s Corner
I don’t know what’s going on with Rafael dos Anjos but he has been inconsistent; beating Neil Magny and Robbie Lawler but losing a decision to Colby Covington. Rafael dos Anjos needs to leave the UFC and go to ONE or Bellator. Kamaru Usman is on the rise, with one hell of a win streak. Usman beats RDA and sends him into pre-retirement mode.
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Michael Hiscoe, MMATorch Managing Editor
I think Rafael dos Anjos has one more good run in him and it might start tonight. Usman is on a tear, but outside of Demian Maia, he hasn’t fought the level of competition that dos Anjos has. For that reason, I think RDA manages to drag Usman into deep water and take a decision win.
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