UFC Raleigh live blog: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Michael Chiesa

This is the UFC Raleigh live blog for Rafael dos Anjos vs. Michael Chiesa, the welterweight co-main event of Saturday’s fight card at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.

Dos Anjos is in need of a reboot after going 1-3 in his past four outings, while Chiesa is on an upward trajectory with wins in his first two UFC bouts at 170 pounds.

Check out the UFC Raleigh live blog below.

Round 1: Kevin MacDonald will oversee this co-main event bout. RDA takes the center of the Octagon, Chiesa circling to his left, he’s doing laps in there. Dos Anjos pawing with his jab. He ducks in and lands a hard body shot. Chiesa responds by marching forward and gets a body lock, he’s looking to take the back with dos Anjos against the fence. Chiesa gets him down and gets both hooks in. Dos Anjos fighting the legs, Chiesa attacking his chin. Both men working to control each other’s hands now. Chiesa is hunting for a rear-naked choke. RDA slips out, but Chiesa stays heavy and in top control. RDA gets Chiesa into half guard. Chiesa passes and he is all over dos Anjos. Dos Anjos again finds a way to slip out and now he’s looking for a takedown off of a body lock. They separate with about a minute to work. Hard body kick by dos Anjos, then a leg kick. Chiesa with a quick takedown, but dos Anjos is right back up. Not a lot of damage done, but a clear first-round win for Chiesa.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Chiesa.

Round 2: Leg kick by dos Anjos to start round two. Chiesa getting tagged as he gets in, he manages to clinch up though. RDA breaks it up, Chiesa gets tripped by a leg kick. Dos Anjos not scared to go down with him, though they quickly separate. Chiesa in with the double leg, dos Anjos defends it. He’s battering Chiesa’s leg with kicks. Body lock by Chiesa and he’s scoring with short knees. Now it’s dos Anjos going for the double leg. Chiesa staying balanced on his knees and he’s looking to counter-attack. RDA goes back to the body lock and they separate again. Chiesa flicks a jab at the body. RDA with the 1-2 leg kick combination. Inside leg kick by Chiesa. They’re exchanging jabs. Takedown attempt by Chiesa and he dumps RDA to the mat. Dos Anjos blocking his attempts to advance. Close, close round.

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

Round 3: RDA sticking with the leg kicks and Chiesa walks right through it to wrestle dos Anjos against the cage. Slick trip by Chiesa and he is in dos Anjos’s half guard. Dos Anjos works on a leg lock, but Chiesa stays calm and maintains position. He goes for a kimura. Nothing there, RDA counters with a heel hook, it doesn’t look like Chiesa is in any serious danger. They are at a stalemate with their legs intertwined. As soon as they break, Chiesa scrambles back on top and fires off a few short punches. Little offense from dos Anjos in this round. Chiesa staying busy in dos Anjos’s guard. Chiesa rides this one out and should take the decision.

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

Official result: Michael Chiesa def. Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)