Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Prediction: Does dos Anjos Have the Advantage at UFC Fight Night?

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Prediction: Does dos Anjos Have the Advantage at UFC Fight Night?

The main event for this weekend's UFC Fight Night card heads back to the welterweight division between No. 10 Vicente Luque and unranked (at welterweight) Rafael dos Anjos. This all-Brazilian bout promises to deliver fireworks, with both fighters known for their aggressive fighting styles. Vicente Luque has now suffered back-to-back losses after an insane 15-2 run in the UFC. Can he rebound against the veteran Rafael dos Anjos? The books don't think so, as they have dos Anjos as a slight -125 favorite heading into this weekend.

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Date, Time and Where to Watch

• Date: Saturday, August 12, 2023
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Prediction

Vicente Luque enters the octagon with a 21-9-1 record and a reputation for his explosive fighting style. The 31-year-old fighter, ranked number 10 in the welterweight division, has showcased his finishing ability by securing wins over notable opponents like Michael Chiesa, Tyron Woodley, and Belal Muhammad. Luque was maybe one fight from a shot at the belt when he faced Belal Muhammad in a rematch last year in April, but Luque, unfortunately, fell in that fight by decision, succumbing to Belal's relentless wrestling ability. Luque then failed to bounce back, dropping his fight to Geoff Neal by knockout. Despite his recent losses, Luque remains a threat with his relentless offense.

On the opposite side of the cage stands the seasoned veteran Rafael dos Anjos, a former lightweight champion who has transitioned to welterweight in recent years. "RDA" enters this fight with a 32-14-0 record and with a wealth of experience in the UFC dating back to UFC 291 in 2008. dos Anjos has evolved his skill set to encompass a well-rounded game. He boasts a lethal kickboxing game, proficient takedowns, and a grappling arsenal that has earned him eleven submission wins over his career. That grappling was on full display in dos Anjos's previous fight against Bryan Barberena when dos Anjos submitted him halfway through the second round.

dos Anjos's strategy will likely revolve around his wrestling/grappling. dos Anjos's southpaw striking skills, coupled with his ground game, could prove advantageous against Luque's vulnerabilities. dos Anjos's kicks to Luque's legs might play a crucial role, exploiting Luque's lower takedown defense percentage and forcing him to contend with his leg-kick proficiency. dos Anjos's experience will drive him to capitalize on Luque's weaknesses and secure the advantage on the mat.

Luque's path to victory lies in his relentless forward pressure and power striking. His strength advantage and reach could potentially allow him to close the distance, aiming to put dos Anjos on his back foot and secure the victory through strikes or his own grappling expertise.

Luque suffered a brain injury during his most recent fight against Geoff Neal, causing him to be out of action for a year. Recovering and returning from that injury does add just a bit of skepticism in my mind, given that it was a serious brain injury. On top of that, Luque has shown serious struggles against Southpaw fighters. Luque has faced three true Southpaws in his 19 UFC fights, and he is 1-2 against them, with the win being a first-round submission where he barely had to strike at all. Luque has been vulnerable against Southpaws, and that issue didn't seem to be fixed in his last fight, so maybe it is just his kryptonite. Rafael dos Anjos is a switch-stance fighter, but he fights very well out of the Southpaw stance.

In what promises to be an intense battle of wills, the odds slightly favor Rafael dos Anjos, and so do I. While Luque's power and aggression are undeniable, dos Anjos's diverse striking from the Southpaw stance and ground game could give him the edge. Luque's recent brain injury and vulnerabilities against southpaws raise concerns about his ability to weather dos Anjos's attack. Even though Rafael dos Anjos is getting up there in age, I like him to take this fight against a struggling Vicente Luque.

Vicente Luque vs. Rafael dos Anjos Pick

Pick: Rafael dos Anjos ML -125 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick

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