Rafael dos Anjos makes big statement on run for 155-pound title with dominance of Paul Felder

Rafael dos Anjos makes big statement on run for 155-pound title with dominance of Paul Felder

Rafael dos Anjos defeated Paul Felder via split decision (50-45, 47-48, 50-45), Round 2 – 4:07 at UFC Vegas 14 on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV.

“I’m not too happy with my performance, I wish I could do better. My first fight back in the lightweight division, I feel like I have more adjustments to make… If you look to the contenders, I think only me and Conor, we are the only real champions in that division. Everyone else is all interim champions, so if the division is open, me and Conor is the fight to make,” said dos Anjos.

“I can be completely upfront with you guys, I hadn’t stepped into an MMA gym in four months…I can tell you guys with certainty I’m not going anywhere right now,” said a very fired up Felder following the fight.

Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos round 1

Felder connected first, with a straight right hand. Dos Anjos responded with a combination and a body kick. The two fighters continued to trade punches and kicks in the middle of the Octagon. During the action, a cut was opened up on dos Anjos’ forehead. Dos Anjos took down Felder with relative ease but Felder was able to work his way back to his feet. Dos Anjos tried a standing arm and head choke but Felder again fought out of the hold. Felder landed a combination in the middle of the Octagon. Dos Anjos and Felder went for a takedown at the same time and had their heads collide. Dos Anjos appeared to hurt Felder right before the bell with a powerful left hook.

FanSided scored it: dos Anjos 10-9

Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos round 2

Felder landed a quick combination to start the round. Dos Anjos was aggressive coming out of his corner, backing up Felder against the cage. Felder was able to stuff the takedown. The two continued to trade. Felder landed a short elbow but dos Anjos landed a high kick. Dos Anjos was able to get the takedown but Felder was able to work his way back to his feet. The round ended with the two trading punches in the middle.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 dos Anjos

Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos round 3

Felder opened the third round with leg kicks. Dos Anjos again backed Felder up against the cage but could not complete the takedown. Felder flipped position and held dos Anjos up against the fence. Dos Anjos missed an elbow on the break but immediately went for another takedown and brought Felder down. For the third time in the fight, Felder was able to work his way back up. The two clinched against the fence, with dos Anjos landed a couple of knees to the body. Felder responded with a pair of knees which created a break. Dos Anjos landed a snapping left hand but Felder caught him with a knee as he went in for a takedown. Dos Anjos lifted Felder and slammed him for his fourth takedown. The Brazilian stepped over into side control but time expired before dos Anjos could take advantage of his position.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 dos Anjos 

Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos round 4

Between rounds, Felder’s cornerman Duke Roufus told him that he needed a finish to win. Felder clearly listened as he exploded to start the round, landing several punches. Dos Anjos landed a body kick. Felder responded with a head kick that was partially blocked. The two continued to trade punches until dos Anjos decided to go for another takedown. Felder stuffed dos Anjos’ double leg but was caught in a clinch against the fence. The two flipped positions a couple of times but remained in the clinch. Eventually, they broke the clinch and returned to the middle. Felder landed a combination and ended the round on a strong note. Felder landed a few powerful shots and then took dos Anjos down. Dos Anjos was able to reverse position and landed a trio of powerful punches that opened up a cut over Felder’s right eye.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 Felder

Paul Felder vs. Rafael dos Anjos round 5

The two traded body kicks to open the round. Dos Anjos went for another takedown but had it stuffed. Felder landed a combination followed by a knee. Dos Anjos, not wanting to give Felder an opening, went for another takedown. Felder stuffed the initial attempt but dos Anjos went right back at it for a second attempt and got Felder down to the canvas. Dos Anjos was in side control and tried to transition to full mount. Felder attempted to scramble but was unable to get away. Dos Anjos held Felder up against the cage and landed a trio of knees to the body. Felder was able to get back to his feet but could not break the grip of dos Anjos. The fight ended with dos Anjos taking Felder down again, right in front of his corner, which erupted as soon as the bell sounded.

FanSided scored it: 10-9 dos Anjos

Paul Felder stepped in on just five days notice

Felder stepped into the fight on just five days notice when Islam Makhachev came down with an infection and was forced to withdraw. Felder was scheduled for color commentary but stepped off the desk and into the main event against a former champion. Dos Anjos was returning to the 155 pound division, for which he was once champion, for the first time since his 2016 loss to Tony Ferguson.

With the victory, dos Anjos improved to 30-13 and will be in the lightweight rankings when they are released next. Felder dropped to 17-6 but made it clear that he had no intention of retiring following the loss.

UFC Vegas 14 took place on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, live from UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.