UFC News and Fight Preview: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson Set as Main Event in Mexico City; Analysis and Predictions
A major showdown in the lightweight division is set in Mexico on November 5 for "The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3". The fight card will feature Tony Ferguson trading blows against the former champion Rafael dos Anjos.
TUF officials confirmed that the five-round clash will headline the event at Mexico City's Arena Ciudad de Mexico. Although a non-title bout, the matchup is as good as a title eliminator since Dos Anjos and Ferguson are ranked number 2 and number 3 contenders respectively.
To recall, Dos Anjos lost the UFC championship to Eddie Alvarez in July after experiencing a first-round technical knockout. Dos Anjos is now looking to get back into his old form as one of the feared lightweight fighters and this match could be his passport.
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Dos Anjos will find November a daunting task however, since Ferguson is coming in hot from an eight-fight winning streak. Ferguson also made a steady climb at the UFC rankings and is considered to be a logical contender for the championship. Some of the notable opponents Ferguson fought recently were against the knockout artist Edson Barboza and a victory via Brabo choke against Lando Vannata.
Dos Anjos will put in the line his 26-8 win-loss record against Ferguson's 21-3 win-loss record. Cage rank also made predictions about the match and Dos Anjos is slated to win at a staggering 70 percent probability. Looking at the almost identical record, age and experience level of the two, the win might come through a decision only and with a very low probability of an early knockout.
Meanwhile, regarding the skills area, Dos Anjos will have the upperhand on better submission defense rating of 9.2 that might come useful when in tight situations and both are grappling each other. The biggest asset so far for Dos Anjos is the ability to last the distance at near-perfect rating of 9.6, thanks to the record of not being so easily taken during the early rounds of the fight.
Now regarding Ferguson, apart from being a taller fighter, two assets are standing out in his arsenal. First, Ferguson significantly has heavier punches at 8.8 rating and 25 percent more probable to knockout good defenders. Secondly, Ferguson is known to be a fast finisher with an 8.8 rating and this asset is important to Octagon fighters since injuries and heavy toll prior a win can be avoided.
