UFC on FOX 26 results: Rafael dos Anjos scores dominant win over Robbie Lawler

Rafael dos Anjos’ transition to welterweight contender is complete.

The former UFC lightweight champion bumped up to 170 pounds this year after losing two in a row in his old weight class.

And in case there were any doubts he’s a legitimate contender in his new division, dos Anjos put an exclamation point on his comeback year Saturday night. The Brazilian put on a clinic in shutting down former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in the main event of UFC on FOX 26.

The judges’ scores at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg were 50-45 across the board for a unanimous decision. With the win, dos Anjos (28-9) improved to 3-0 at welterweight.

“I’m just happy, you know, Ive been in this game so long, it’s a pleasure to fight a warrior like Robbie,” dos Anjos said.

Dos Anjos set the tone early by peppering Lawler with brutal kicks to his right leg. That prevented Lawler from ever really getting into his groove.

The former lightweight champion landed early and often from range in winning the opening round. In the second, the ultra-tough Lawler managed to evade dos Anjos as the latter swarmed him on the cage and tried to finish the fight.

Lawler appeared to be ready to turn up the heat at this point, but the effects of the leg kicks managed to take over. In the third, dos Anjos scored a takedown and landed brutal elbows to Lawler’s head.

Over the final two rounds, Lawler never quite was able to mount a comeback. Dos Anjos never tired, and continued moving forward and landing. A fighter less tough than the legendarily durable Lawler would have called it a day, but Lawler made it to the final horn.

Dos Anjos (28-6) believes he’s earneed the next crack at champion Tyron Woodley’s belt.

“In my opinion I just beat the toughest guy in the division I think I deserve it because of my history,” dos Anjos said. “I have been in the UFC 10 years already and I think I did enough to deserve the title shot.”