Rafael Dos Anjos faces Rafael Fiziev in a pivotal lightweight clash at UFC Fight Night on July 9 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Both fighters aim to break into the division's top 5 with a victory.

The 37-year-old former champion Dos Anjos (31-13) enters following a unanimous decision win over Renato Carneiro. Meanwhile, the rising contender Fiziev (11-1) looks to build on his spectacular spinning wheel kick KO of Brad Riddell in his last outing.

Betting Odds:

• Fiziev: -200 (Favorite)
• Dos Anjos: +175 (Underdog)

Fighter Breakdown:

Fiziev brings:

• Elite kickboxing and striking skills
• Superior power and speed
• Youth advantage at age 28
• Movement-based striking style

Dos Anjos offers:

• Championship experience
• Veteran fight IQ
• Strong wrestling and grappling
• Unlimited cardio
• Muay Thai striking base

Key Factors:

• Fiziev must defend takedowns and control distance
• Dos Anjos needs to mix striking with wrestling
• Five-round cardio could favor the younger Fiziev
• Experience edge goes to the former champion

The clash of styles between Fiziev's dynamic striking and Dos Anjos' pressure-based wrestling approach should create an intriguing technical battle. While Fiziev holds physical advantages, Dos Anjos' championship pedigree and well-rounded skill set make him a live underdog.

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