TUF 28 Finale live blog: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Kamaru Usman

This is the TUF 28 Finale live blog for Rafael dos Anjos vs. Kamaru Usman, a welterweight bout at Friday’s UFC event at The Pearl at the Palms in La Vegas.

Usman enters the bout on a 12-fight win streak and coming off a decison win over Demian Maia, while dos Anjos looks to bounce back from a loss to Colby Covington that snapped a three-fight win streak at welterweight.

Round 1: Here we go, the TUF 28 Finale main event is underway. Usman takes the center of the cage. Nice kick to the body, followed by a right hand by Usman. The Nigerian fighter tries to go for a takedown and pushes dos Anjos against the cage. Dos Anjos breaks away and gets back in the center. Nice combination by dos Anjos. And Usman gets his first takedown. Dos Anjos almost immediately back up, but he’s being pressed against the cage. Half way through the first round. Usman controlling dos Anjos against the cage. The Brazilian gets out and the fight goes back to striking. Nothing really lands from both guys before Usman presses dos Anjos against the cage. One minute left. Usman gets the takedown, landing some ground-and-pound from dos Anjos’ guard. Oh! Nice up-kick by dos Anjos. The bell rings and Usman ends on top.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usman.

Round 2: Second round is on. Both guys swing but nothing really lands. Usman presses dos Anjos against the cage 30 seconds into the second. Usman really working hard for the takedown, while landing short shots on dos Anjos. The former lightweight champ having a rough time breaking away from the cage. Three minutes left. Usman gets a takedown. Dos Anjos with some nice elbows from the bottom. Usman having a tough time passing dos Anjos’ guard. Two minutes left. Dos Anjos locks a kimura, it looks tight. Wisely, Usman uses the cage to stop dos Anjos from cranking. Dos Anjos finds space, cranks Usman’s arm, forcing him to roll over and lose position. They’re back on their feet. Dos Anjos far more active now, landing decent shots on Usman. The bell rings.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, dos Anjos. Overall 19-19.

Round 3: Dos Anjos gets things started in the third with some nice leg kicks. Usman answers back with some shots of his own, but dos Anjos lands the better shots. Usman presses dos Anjos against the cage. The Brazilian finding more success breaking away from Usman’s clinch, gets back in the center of the cage. Usman gets a takedown. Halfway through the third. Dos Anjos looks to lock a kimura again, but nothing. Dos Anjos able to get on his knees and reverses the position. He’s now pressing Usman against the cage. Usman wins the scrambles and now presses dos Anjos against the cage. One minute left. Dos Anjos breaks away. Nice combination by dos Anjos, lands several jabs. Usman lands some shots of his own but dos Anjos gets the better of the exchanges in the last 30 seconds.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usman. Overall 29-28, Usman.

Round 4: Usman takes the center of the cage, dos Anjos looking light on the outside lands some good shots but nothing significant. Usman corners dos Anjos and chains solid striking combination, dos Anjos is bleeding. And Usman gets another takedown, really outmuscling dos Anjos here. Three minutes left. Usman with good control. Good elbows by Usman. Usman not landing the heaviest ground-and-pound, but they sure are adding up. Dos Anjos looking battered here. Usman finding good use of his elbows late in the round. One minute left. Big hammer fists land for Usman. The bell rings. Dominant round by “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usman. Overall 39-37, Usman.

Round 5: Usman picking it up here in the last round, letting his hands go against dos Anjos. Usman gets a takedown against the cage. He’s now in dos Anjos half guard. The former champ gets back up, but he’s still pressed by Usman against the cage. Nice shots from Usman. Dos Anjos looking exhausted here. Usman gets a takedown, but dos Anjos locks up a guillotine. And Usman is out and on side control. Dos Anjos recovers guard, but he’s absorbing a good amount of hits by Usman. Usman still working at a pretty high pace here. One minute left. Usman content to stay in dos Anjos’ guard and land ground-and-pound. Final 30 seconds. Usman in complete domination. And the final bell goes off.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Usman. Overall 49-46, Usman.

Official result: Kamaru Usman def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (50-43, 49-45, 48-47)