On Saturday, former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos made his UFC welterweight debut.
In his first test at 170 pounds, Dos Anjos fought former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Tarec Saffiedine at the UFC Fight Night event in Singapore.
Dos Anjos and Saffiedine fought in a grueling battle for three rounds. Each fighter had their moments throughout the fight, but in the end, Dos Anjos was awarded by the judges a unanimous decision victory.
Dos Anjos left the lightweight division after losing his last two fights at 155 pounds. He is coming off a decision loss to top lightweight contender Tony Ferguson back in November. Last July, Dos Anjos lost his UFC championship after being knocked out by Eddie Alvarez.
With his impressive win over Saffiedine, Dos Anjos is already a contender in the welterweight division. On Saturday, other UFC fighters didn’t mind sharing their thoughts on the former champion’s jump to a new weight class.
I want see RDA vs Masvidal.
This fight will be a great match up @ufc #welterweight— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) June 17, 2017
Tarec needed to keep range, use kicks and out-technique/strike RDA. He didn't do any of that. #UFCSingapore https://t.co/kd1e8TqJiY
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) June 17, 2017
close 2rds if your up watching @ufc #UFCSingapore who you got so rda or safferdine?
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) June 17, 2017
great competitive fight razor close ill say RDA 29-28 who you got? @ufc #UFCSingapore
— Truck Gordon (@TruckMMA_UFC) June 17, 2017
Tarec never known for his power, but harder punchers and better wrestlers will be a problem for RDA at WW. #UFCSingapore
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) June 17, 2017
Who else loves waking up to fights in the morning? UFC Sweden and UFC Singapore both entertaining cards. Thanks and can we have more @ufc?
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) June 17, 2017
Never know how they're scoring it, but Saff likely needs a finish. RDA just grinding/outworking him. #UFCSingapore
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) June 17, 2017
Tarec has always had great striking technique, but could get outworked by RDA. #UFCSingapore
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) June 17, 2017
