Mar 5, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Rafael Dos Anjos waits to fight Renato Moicano (not pictured) during UFC 272 at T-Mobile Arena. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev expected to headline UFC Fight Night card

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 5/4/22

Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev is a bout that was booked and fell through on two separate occasions earlier this year. Now, it has been rebooked to take place on a UFC Fight Night card in July.

On Wednesday night, ESPN MMA insider Brett Okamoto reported that a matchup between the seventh and eighth-ranked fighters on the Sportsnaut UFC lightweight rankings is close to being finalized by the UFC.

Rebooked. Not official, but UFC close to finalizing RDA (@RdosAnjosMMA) vs. Rafael Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) as it’s main event for a UFC Fight Night on July 9. pic.twitter.com/H75QShsSZm
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 5, 2022

The July 9 card does not have an official location or venue, but the event will reportedly feature the return of Octagon veterans Said Nurmagomedov, Antonina Schevchenko, Cynthia Calvillo and Nina Nunes.

Rafael dos Anjos record: 31-13 (5 knockouts, 10 submissions)
Rafael Fiziev record: 11- (7 knockouts, 1 submission)

Fiziev vs. dos Anjos was originally set to headline a UFC Fight Night card in February until visa issues forced “Atman” out of the date, and the matchup was rescheduled to take place a month later at UFC 272. However, that too was scrapped after Fiziev again could not make the fight. This time due to testing positive for COVID-19.

The Brazilian MMA great remained on the card and instead fought Renato Moicano in a five-round, non-title bout. The former lightweight champion was victorious and earned a second straight win back in the division after ending an eight-fight stint at welterweight. Dos Anjos went 4-4 competing at 170 pounds.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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