Lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos shocked the world when he dominated Anthony Pettis to win the belt last March. He did it again by beating the highly regarded Donald Cerrone into submission in just over a minute this past December. Could we be looking at the best lightweight champion since B.J. Penn? Let’s take a look at three possible matchups - along with proposed odds - that could make RDA’s case.
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Please note, some of these are projected odds for hypothetical fights. You can sign into BookMaker to bet on a number of currently active odds, including Conor McGregor vs. Rafel dos Anjos.
THE BIG MONEY MATCHUP
Conor McGregor -125
Rafael dos Anjos +105
The champion vs. champion matchup is scheduled to take place at UFC 197. Most sportsbooks have opened with featherweight champion Conor McGregor as the favorite over Rafael dos Anjos. That doesn’t necessarily mean that oddsmakers think that McGregor will win - it just projects who they think will receive the most action. And in a matchup that pits the 145-pound and 155-pound champions against each other, there’s going to be a ton of action.
I bet the promotion just wishes that the Brazilian was a more marketable commodity. While he’s looked like a terror inside the cage, he has a low-key personality outside of it. Still, it’s a huge, historic fight, with two of the best strikers in the world squaring off.
THE RIGHTFUL CONTENDER
Tony Ferguson +170
Rafael dos Anjos -150
Ferguson is on a seven-fight win streak in the octagon, and each of his victories have been more impressive than the last. Most recently, against Edson Barboza, “El Cucuy” turned in one of the most entertaining performances of 2015, throwing every conceivable strike at the Brazilian and seemingly making up new attacks on the spot.
His wild, unpredictable style makes Ferguson a fan-friendly fighter, but he is still only known to the hardcore fanbase. That means a Ferguson-dos Anjos scrap wouldn’t make the type of cheddar the UFC would want to see from a championship bout. Still, Ferguson has earned his shot at the title, and he’s a frightening obstacle for dos Anjos.
THE KILLER ON THE SIDELINES
Khabib Nurmagomedov -110
Rafael dos Anjos -110
The last man that Rafael dos Anjos lost to was Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Dagestani native took the Brazilian to the ground and grinded him to a pulp en route to a unanimous decision win. Unfortunately, “The Eagle” has yet to fight since that 2014 encounter, sidelined due to a plethora of major injuries. However, his presence is still largely felt by the 155-pound class.
Nurmagomedov is just 27 years old and already has a 22-0 record. He’s a monster on the mend, and if those injuries haven’t sapped him of any of his physical tools, he is still a contender to be feared. Nobody has been able to stop his wrestling yet, and Rafael dos Anjos would have to showcase serious championship mettle to make it through this meat grinder matchup.
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