Rafael Dos Anjos faces Rafael Fiziev in a crucial lightweight clash at UFC Fight Night on July 9 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Both fighters aim to break into the division's top 5 with a victory.

The Tale of Two Rafaels:

Former champion Dos Anjos (31-13) enters following a unanimous decision win over Renato Carneiro. At 37, he's making one final run at the lightweight title. Fiziev (11-1) returns after an impressive spinning wheel kick KO of Brad Riddell in his last outing.

Betting Odds & Analysis:

• Fiziev is the favorite
• Dos Anjos sits at +175 as underdog
• Experience heavily favors Dos Anjos (4x more MMA fights)

Fighter Breakdown:

Fiziev:

• Elite kickboxer with powerful striking
• Superior speed and power
• Key factor: Takedown defense against Dos Anjos
• 28 years old with fresher body

Dos Anjos:

• Stationary Muay Thai style
• Strong wrestling and cardio
• Championship experience
• 37 years old with wear and tear

Keys to Victory:

• Fiziev must keep fight standing and utilize movement
• Dos Anjos needs to mix striking with takedowns
• Fight likely goes late with technical exchanges
• Fiziev's youth advantage could be crucial in 5 rounds

The winner potentially moves into title contention, making this a pivotal matchup for both fighters' careers.

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