Robbie Lawler V Rafael Dos Anjos Preview : Who will challenge Tyron Woodley?
Two top stars at welterweight clash this Saturday as former champion Robbie Lawler takes on former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. Whoever wins this bout will have a direct route to facing the formidable Tyron Woodley for the title, but only one man can progress when they meet inside the octagon in Winnipeg, Canada. The pair will main event UFC on Fox and as two of the most experienced champions in the business today, this is sure to be an explosive bout that plenty of people will have their eyes on. Can Lawler fight his way back to Woodley?
Odds of 15/2 are available with Betfair for Dos Anjos to win via submission (£100 free bet)
Ruthless
After a dodgy spell of his career that saw his record reach a very vanilla 19-9, Lawler decided to return to welterweight and not look back. Fighting closer to his natural weight, the Brawler won eight of his next nine fights and found himself as the UFC welterweight champion. He even avenged the one defeat he suffered along the way to Johny Hendricks to capture the gold, but the loss to Woodley at UFC 201 really set him back and we wouldn't see Lawler again for just a day shy of a full year. When he did return, he dispatched of credible veteran Donald Cerrone via unanimous decision and now, this is the next step for him to return to title contention. Lawler is particularly noted for his remarkable durability and resistance to damage, seemingly walking through massive strikes during his career and showing tremendous heart. He can also throw a mean strike himself.
Get odds of 10/11 with Betfair for Lawler to win (£100 free bet)
RDA
Dos Anjos was so close to fighting Conor McGregor for the UFC lightweight title in what would have easily been the most lucrative fight of his career. However, a foot injury in the run-up to the fight meant RDA had to pull out and the Notorious One moved on to Nate Diaz. When Dos Anjos finally did defend his title, Eddie Alvarez stole his crown and went on to lose to McGregor in one of the highest grossing pay-per-views in UFC history. How's your luck, eh? Anyway, the Brazilian has rebuilt himself since and after losing to now UFC interim lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, in his next outing, he has won his two bouts since at welterweight. The 33-year-old is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and his southpaw stance makes him a tricky striker for his opponents.
Betfair are offering odds of 5/6 for Dos Anjos to win (£100 free bet)
FREEbets.org.uk Prediction
This is closer to Lawler's natural weight and, when facing the top talents in a class, natural weight tends to matter. Lawler has collected 20 of his 28 wins via KO whereas RDA only has 5 KOs in 27 wins, but, he has nine submissions to Lawler's one. In a battle of technique Vs power, Lawler will win.
Odds of 12/5 are available with William Hill for Robbie Lawler to win via KO (£20 free bet)
Statistics
- Robbie Lawler is a former welterweight champion
- Rafael Dos Anjos is a former lightweight champion
- Lawler has 20 KOs in his 28 wins, RDA has just 5 in his 27
- RDA has 9 submission victories compared to Lawler's one