It’s back to the UFC Apex this Saturday when a pair of dudes named Rafael step inside the Octagon for a lightweight tussle headlining UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev. The bout was originally scheduled for UFC 272 back in March before Rafael Fiziev was pulled from the card due to COVID. Eager to get back in the cage after a long layoff, former champ Rafael Dos Anjos jumped at the chance to take on late replacement Renato Moicano, whom he beat by unanimous decision.
We’re sure to see plenty of action inside the Octagon and there will be more action at the betting window with 11 fights making up the UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev card on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Preliminary card fights start at 6 p.m. ET with the main card set to begin at 9 p.m. ET. All bouts can be seen on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+. Odds for every bout on the ticket are available at BookMaker.eu when you’re ready to place a wager.
UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev Odds
Main Card
Rafael Dos Anjos +176 vs. Rafael Fiziev -225
Armen Petrosyan +168 vs. Caio Borralho -215
Douglas Silva +207 vs. Said Nurmagomedov -270
Chase Sherman +158 vs. Jared Vanderaa -200
Michael Johnson +190 vs. Jamie Mullarkey -245
Since dropping his UFC debut Fiziev (11-1) has won five straight fights getting stronger each time out. This is definitely a step up for Fiziev, who battered some fringe competition in the weight class. He KO’d Brad Riddell in his most recent fight that took place back in December. The more imposing specimen with a powerful punch, Fiziev will be tested by the wily veteran Dos Anjos (31-13). After a 16-month absence, RDA was back in the cage in March originally set to take on Fiziev. Instead, the return was a unanimous decision win over Moicano. Using his raw physical ability to his advantage Fiziev has overwhelmed opponents, but that may not work on Saturday against the more experienced opponent with a motor that doesn’t quit. RDA split his eight five-round bouts taking on top fighters like Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Donald Cerrone and Khabib Nurmagomedov, which should certainly help in this matchup. The lengthy absence rejuvenated RDA making him a sleeper pick on the moneyline at +176.
UFC Prediction: Rafael Dos Anjos +176 / Decision
You have to start somewhere and the two combatants in the co-main event began their careers in the Contender Series. Caio Borralho (11-1) opened as the -215 favorite in this middleweight matchup with Armen Petrosyan (7-1). Both fighters proved their worth in the contender series and opened their UFC careers with wins, though Borralho’s came in unorthodox fashion. After two impressive showings in the talent search series, he ended his fight with Gadzhi Omargadzhiev with an illegal knee. Instead of a NC the decision went to the judges giving Borralho a unanimous technical decision. For the first time in his pro career Petrosyan went the distance earning a split decision over Gregory Rodrigues in his debut in February. ‘Superman’ has a significant height advantage, but it’s going to be difficult to attack Borralho, and if he can’t go on the offensive Petrosyan is in a tough spot.
UFC Prediction: Caio Borralho -215 / (T)KO
UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev Odds
Prelims
Nina Nunes +124 vs. Cynthia Calvillo -155
Aiemann Zahabi +150 vs. Ricky Turcios -190
Cortney Casey +146 vs. Antonina Shevchenko -185
Tresean Gore -150 vs. Cody Brundage +120
Karl Roberson +124 vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu -155
Saidyokub Kakhramonov +115 vs. Ronnie Lawrence -145
The results haven’t been there, but the flyweight battle highlighting the preliminary card between favorite Cynthia Calvillo (-155, 9-4-1) and Nina Nunes (+124, 10-7-0) should be explosive. Both fighters have had time away from the cage to address issues and the veterans are ready to get things trending in the right direction.
Calvillo made her class debut with an impressive unanimous decision over Jessica Eye two years ago, but it’s been downhill ever since with three straight setbacks, the last two by stoppage. Back in the cage for the first time in nearly two years, Nunes tapped out from an armbar by Mackenzie Dern extending her slide to two matches.
With both fighters struggling and having not competed for some time, this bout is hard to read. However, Calvillo has more at stake and is more technically sound. She’s also feisty and I expect that enthusiasm to return giving her an edge in this fight.
UFC Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo -155 / Decision
