It took five rounds, but UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev made a big statement at UFC Vegas 58 Saturday night.
After a four rounds, Fiziev used a left hook to drop the former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and force referee Mark Smith to stop the contest 18 seconds into the fifth round.
A key factor in the contest was dos Anjos unable to draw Fiziev to the mat, to use his grappling advantages. Fiziev kept the fight standing for the most part and also connected with strikes to take some starch out of dos Anjos going into the championship rounds.
LFG @RafaelFiziev y’all know I love some beautiful standup!!!#UFCVegas58 #mainevent
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 10, 2022
Faziev’s striking is so impressive. #UFCVegas58
— Ode' ⭕️sbourne 🇯🇲 (@OdeOsbourne) July 10, 2022
The win gives Fiziev (12-1-0) his sixth straight win and likely dos Anjos’ No. 7 ranking. The loss was snapped dos Anjos’ two fight win streak.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1545987570223513600?s=20&t=fFgvE9Nd_8a7gg8uIzORRA
Jamie Mullarkey and Michael Johnson earned Fight of the Night, while Fiziev and Chase Sherman earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
The POTN honors belong to @RafaelFiziev and @ChaseShermanUFC tonight! 💸 #UFCVegas58 pic.twitter.com/VWRgRlZc5o
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
Without a doubt 👏👏👏
These two are walking away with an extra 50K tonight!
[ @Menace155 @Jamie_Mullarkey | #UFCVegas58 | B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/QTwBmTcfiC
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card. In case you missed the prelims:
SAIDYOUKOUB KAKHRAMONOV DEF. RONNIE LAWRENCE VIA UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
KENNEDY NZECHUKWU DEF. KARL ROBERSON VIA TKO (ELBOWS) R3 2:19
DAVID ONANA DEF. GARRETT ARMFIELD TECH SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE CHOKE) R2 3:13
ANTONINA SHEVCHENKO DEF. CORTNEY CASEY VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
CODY BRUNDAGE DEF. TREASEAN GORE VIA KO (PUNCHES) R1 3:50
MAIN CARD
MICHAEL JOHNSON VS. JAMIE MULLARKEY
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! @Jamie_Mullarkey gets his hand raised after that EPIC battle! #UFCVegas58 pic.twitter.com/jiVg7SIMwh
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: JAMIE MULLARKEY VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JAMIE MULLARKEY VIA UD
Andrews: It was a tough fight, as expected congrats to Mullarkey for pulling it out.
AIEMANN ZAHABI VS. RICKY TURCIOS
It's a clean sweep for @AiemannZahabi tonight! 🧹
[ #UFCVegas58 | Main Card LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/DqlS3aDG2A
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: AIEMANN ZAHABI VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Andrews: Speedy recovery to Nina Nunes. Zahabi thanks you, too.
JARED VANDERAA VS. CHASE SHERMAN
NO SCORECARDS NEEDED 🚫@ChaseShermanUFC w/ the 3rd round finish! #UFCVegas58 pic.twitter.com/AsDWseGFTs
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: CHASE SHERMAN VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 3:10
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHASE SHERMAN VIA UD
Andrews: Somebody had to win this one. Chase stepped up.
DOUGLAS SILVA DE ANDRADE VS. SAID NURMAGOMEDOV
Said Nurmagomedov locks in the UD to make it 3-straight 🔒
[ #UFCVegas58 | Main Card LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/3GcQSm0p2r
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: SAID NURMAGOMEDOV VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SAID NURMAGOMEDOV VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: He didn’t get the submission, but Said got the win.
CAIO BORRALHO VS. ARMEN PETROSYAN
Make that 1️⃣1️⃣-straight wins for @BorralhoCaio! #UFCVegas58 pic.twitter.com/Z6T7eWSQlM
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: CAIO BORRALHO VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CAIO BORRALHO VIA SD
Andrews: Good win for Caio. Carry on.
MAIN EVENT
#7 RAFAEL DOS ANJOS VS. #10 RAFAEL FIZIEV
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! 🤯#UFCVegas58 @RafaelFiziev pic.twitter.com/t2ByRpPIgd
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
WINNER: RAFAEL FIZIEV VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R5 0:18
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RAFAEL FIZIEV VIA TKO
Andrews: The cardio question was answered as Fiziev has enough in the tank to drop and finish a durable former champion in the last round. Well done.
The next UFC event is UFC on ABC 3, which is set for Saturday July 16, at the UBS Arena in Elmont Arena, New York. Featherweights Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez collide in the main event.
