Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos returned to the Octagon for another massive main event at UFC Vegas 78 on Saturday night.
A winner in two of his last three, RDJ is determined to show the world that he still has plenty in the gas tank as he attempts to work his up the star-studded welterweight ladder. Meeting him in the evening’s all-Brazilian headliner was 170-pound standout, Vicente Luque.
After dropping back-to-back bouts against Belal Muhammad and Geoff Neal, ‘The Silent Assassin’ stepped into The APEX desperate to get back on track, and there’s no better way to do that than by taking out a former world champion.
Round 1
Rafael dos Anjos comes out looking to lead the dance early, but it’s Luque who opens up the striking with a low kick. RDA responds with a straight right and closes the distance, clinching up with Luque against the fence. RDA attempts to secure a takedown, but Luque is able to maintain his balance and stay upright. RDA continues to look for an advantage in the clinch. Luque reverses. RDA reverses back into control before separating and throwing a series of strikes.
Both men return to the Octagon and Luque fires a head kick. RDA throws a combination. Luque comes back and rips to the body of RDA. The former lightweight champ again moves in intent on clinching, but Luque is able to reverse position and secure a takedown. RDA snatches the neck of Luque and attempts to cinch in a guillotine, but RDA is able to sink it in as his back is against the fence.
Luque pops his head out and softens up RDA with a series of ground-and-pound strikes before the first-round horn sounds.
Round 2
RDA throws a body kick. Luque attempts to respond with a body kick of his own. Luque circles around the outside of the cage at RDA moves into the clinch and attempts to change levels for a takedown, but quickly gives up on it, allowing Luque to reverse position against the cage. Luque separates and moves back to the center. Luque looks to get his rhythm going, mixing up his strikes before going high with a head kick.
RDA fires back, putting Luque in his back foot which allows RDA to shoot for a takedown. He briefly brings Luque down to the canvas, but Luque pops back up with ease and scores a takedown of his own. RDA gets back to his feet and both men are once again clinched against the fence with Luque in control. Luque slowly sneaks RDA back to the mat.
RDA gets back up and Luque lands a nasty elbow as he separates from the clinch. RDA easts the strike and presses on, shooting for yet another takedown just as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
RDA comes out wearing a little bit of damage. Luque lands a still jab but eats a solid body kick from RDA in return. After exchanging strikes in the opening minute, RDA pushes to the fence and initiates the clinch once again. Luque reverses and drops down for a double leg. RDA gets back to his feet. Luque again drops down for a takedown attempt, but RDA is able to easily defend and move off the cage. RDA lands a big left hand. Right hand from RDA lands. A body kick from RDA hits the mark as Luque begins to pump the jab.
RDA throws a combination that forces Luque back against the cage. RDA throws a big left hand and shoots for a takedown, but nearly finds himself in a darce choke. A brief scramble sees Luque use an arm drag to get back on his feet and initiate a single-leg takedown. Luque manages to sit RDA down on his backside just as the round ends.
Round 4
Luque comes out looking to bring some pressure to RDA, but it’s only a matter of time before the two men once again clinch against the fence. This time, it’s Luque initiating the contact, digging for a single leg before abandoning it. Luque rips to the body while in the clinch and then drops down for another quick takedown attempt. Luque manages to drag RDA down.
RDA works his way back up, separates, and then initiates the clinch once again. It proves to be a mistake as Luque is easily able to reverse position. They continue trading dominant positions. With less than a minute to go, the two fighters separate, but RDA quickly shoots in again for a failed takedown attempt and ends up getting dragged to the mat himself with mere seconds left on the clock. Luque fishes for a choke, but there is not enough time left on the clock.
Round 5
Going into the fifth and final round, RDA’s corner believes he needs a finish. RDA appears intent on getting his striking going, but once again only uses it to close the distance and initiate the clinch. Luque easily reverses position against the fence and continues to fish for takedowns. RDA finally separates and begins letting the hands go, but just can’t help himself against the fence and once again clinches. And like so many times before, Luque reverses position, changes levels, and nearly lands another takedown on the former champ.
With the clock winding down, RDA begins to show some urgency and lets his hands go against a clearly labored Luque. RDA lands a takedown with 20 seconds to go, but he can’t muster up the offense needed to walk away with a victory after five grueling rounds of action.
Official Result: Vicente Luque def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).
Check Out Highlights From Rafael dos Anjos vs. Vicente Luque at UFC Vegas 78 Below:
UFC Fight Night: Luque vs. Dos Anjos #UFCVegas78 Vicente Luque v Rafael Dos Anjos RD 5 FINAL MINUTE 11 pic.twitter.com/curbtkAPTN
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) August 13, 2023
Vicente Luque with the win! Congrats #UFCVegas78 pic.twitter.com/xdDxNeZ4JV
— Emiliano (@Emilian77357715) August 13, 2023
Vicente Luque vence a Rafael dos Anjos por decisión unánime (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)#UFCVegas78
pic.twitter.com/NNvY3REQr2— SoloMMA (@Solo_MMA) August 13, 2023
