Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos returned to the 155-pound division for the first time in more than four years and picked up a five-round decision victory over No. 7-ranked contender Paul Felder in a Fight Night main event at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Dos Anjos was originally scheduled to face the No. 12-ranked Islam Makhachev, but Makhachev withdrew from the event due to injuries. Felder, who was coming off a Fight of the Year contender against Dan Hooker in February, accepted the matchup with dos Anjos on just five days’ notice.
The fight was officially declared a split decision after one judge peculiarly gave Felder three rounds. The other two judges had it as a clean sweep for dos Anjos, who out-struck Felder 155-134 and mixed in six successful takedowns over the 25-minute bout.
The 36-year-old had some success up at 170 pounds, even defeating former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, but dropped unanimous decisions to Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman, Leon Edwards and Michael Chiesa before deciding to drop back down to his more natural weight class. The Brazilian figures to be a player in the crowded lightweight division.
Dos Anjos and Felder took home Fight of the Night bonuses for their efforts.
Khaos Williams put the welterweight division on notice in the night’s co-main event with an incredible 30-second knockout of Abdul Razak Alhassan.
Williams (11-1) is now 2-0 in the UFC with two knockout wins. The 26-year-old made his UFC debut in February when he stopped Alex Morono in 27 seconds.
KHAOS IN THE OCTAGON @KhaosOXWilliams is TERRIFYING in the Octagon
[ Main event next on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/YR1PR0XZKc— UFC (@ufc) November 15, 2020
Here are the complete results from the event.
MAIN CARD
-- Rafael dos Anjos def. Paul Felder by split decision
-- Khaos Williams def. Abdul Razak Alhassan by knockout
-- Ashley Yoder def. Miranda Granger by unanimous decision
-- Sean Strickland def. Brendan Allen by technical knockout
-- Cory McKenna def. Kay Hansen by unanimous decision
PRELIMINARY CARD
-- Kanako Murata def. Randa Markos by unanimous decision
-- Tony Gravely def. Geraldo de Freitas by split decision
-- Alex Morono def. Rhys McKee by unanimous decision
-- Don'Tale Mayes def. Roque Martinez by unanimous decision
