Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Rustam Khabilov Reported For UFC 170 In Las Vegas

Rafael Dos Anjos 966 left30UFC Lightweights Rafael Dos Anjos and Rustam Khabilov are reportedly going to throw down at UFC 170 in February, according to various sources on the inter webs. RDA is on a five-fight tear in the 155lb. class, while Khabilov is 3-0 in the promotion and coming off a FOTN win over Jorge Masvidal at Fight For The Troops 3.

Dos Anjos currently resides in the number six spot of the official Lightweight rankings, but a win over the surging Khabilov may be what Dos Anjos needs to break in to the top five. That may be easier said than done against a fighter of Khabilov’s calibre.

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‘Tiger’ is a Jackson’s MMA fighter with a 15-1 record and is part of the current Russian invasion of the UFC’s rankings. The Eastern style is heavily wrestling based, and the power of that base also translates in the striking department. Khabilov’s UFC debut was a savage suplex and punches KO win over Vinc Pichel at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale.

Dos Anjos started his MMA career with a heavily Jiu Jitsu based style, scoring six of his first ten wins by submission. He has since gone on to incorporate an aggressive boxing style, one which has seen the Brazilian knock out George Sotiropoulos and also out box Donald Cerrone at Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2.

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The fight, which was first reported by MMABoxing.ru, will be hosted by Las Vegas’ UFC 170 card in February. The card was altered as Jon Jones pulled out of the original title fight with Glover Teixeira, but confirmed bouts so far include new headliner Alexander Gustafsson vs. Juimi Minuwa, Cyrille Diabate vs. Ilir Latifi and now Dos Anjos vs. Khabilov.

RDA had previously spoke about a potential scrap with TJ Grant, Benson Henderson or Gilbert Melendez. A loss against the unranked Khabilov could prove very costly. On the other hand, Khabilov could soar up the rankings with an impressive win over the streaking Brazilian.

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If I had to pick a winner early on, I’d say that the Russian wrestling phenom takes the decision, but Dos Anjos proved me wrong against Cerrone. He has a solid chin and improved striking, but will it be enough against the grinding style of ‘Tiger’?