The former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos, who is already in the twilight years of his fighting career, faced Bryan Barberena on the co-main event of the already stacked UFC Orlando card. Notably, the fight that took place in Amway Center on the Dec 3 fight card, stood the fans’ as well as the fight card’s expectations. However, the Brazilian fighter who made the return to the welterweight division left the Octagon with his hand raised.
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Notably, both the welterweight titans engaged in a back-and-forth fight where dos Anjos scored a victory via rear naked choke in the second round.
How did the fans react to Rafael dos Anjos’ win and his callout?
After achieving the remarkable feat of clocking 8-hours time in the Octagon, he called out the UFC star Conor McGregor, the opponent he wanted to go toe-to-toe with back in 2016.
A user declared, “RDA DESERVES A RED PANTY NIGHT”
RDA DESERVES A RED PANTY NIGHT
— Pauli.♤ (@ItsPauliMMA) December 4, 2022
McGregor vs Dos Anjos is the fight.
I didn’t even realize it.
That’s it. That’s the fight.
— The MMA Dude (@theemmadude) December 4, 2022
💯💯💯💯💯
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) December 4, 2022
Now RDA know Conor ain’t fighting him 😂😂😂 #UFCOrlando
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 4, 2022
Conor McGregor vs. RDA next#UFCOrlando
— MMA mania (@mmamania) December 4, 2022
Bryan Barberena when he realises the old ass fighter he's fighting isn't incredibly washed #UFCOrlando pic.twitter.com/WXDu6mVUHE
— Shed Boy (@Callum_JN) December 4, 2022
RDA is like a 1998 Honda Civic. Not the flashiest car, tops out at 110 mph but it gets great gas mileage but it's been getting you to your job everyday after 300k miles and still goin strong. #UFCOrlando
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) December 4, 2022
Barberena, who was on a 3-win streak with two of those coming against Matt Brown and Robbie Lawler, looked to add another UFC legend to his victims’ list. However, the 33-year-old fighter’s plan didn’t materialize against the fighter, who didn’t seem to slow down.
What happened in the fight at UFC Orlando?
Barberena started the fight with the peddle on pressure and brought kicks out of his arsenal of weapons. However, it didn’t take long for the BJJ ace to bring his renowned skills off the box. Further, the 38-year-old fighter attempted an arm triangle in the first round, but the proximity to the cage didn’t give him enough space to work out the arm triangle.
In addition, the former UFC champion did substantial damage to his opponent with elbows and punches. Therefore, Anjos won the first round with his superior BJJ skills. Additionally, Anjos achieved the remarkable feat of spending most time inside the Octagon, surpassing Frankie Edgar.
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However, ‘Bam Bam’, in the second round, again found himself struggling with the Nova Uniao team representative’ grappling skills. Adding his experience to the mix, Anjos got the back of his opponent in the second round and therefore claimed the victory with a submission win.
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Notably, the Brazilian in his post-fight Octagon interview revealed that he executed the plan his team had drawn.
What do you think of this bout? Let us know in the comments below.