After four years in the UFC, Rafael dos Anjos is finally starting to build some momentum.
The 27-year-old lightweight from Rio de Janeiro scored his third win in his past four fights and sixth in his past eight by outclassing Anthony Njokuani on Wednesday night at UFC on Fuel TV 4 in San Jose, Calif. Dos Anjos won via unanimous decision, taking scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
Dos Anjos (17-6) managed to get the best of his taller foe in the standup and used his striking to set up repeat takedowns over and over the course of the fight. While he never came close to finishing the bout, Njokuani (15-7, 1 no-contest) had no answer for Dos Anjos' game plan.
Njokuani lacked the explosiveness he showed in racking up three straight knockout of the night bonuses in the WEC in 2009. He was overheard after the first round telling his corner that he injured his right hand.
Njokuani showed some fire early in the third round, but Dos Anjos asserted himself midway through and send his opponent to his fifth loss in his past eight fights.