Kamaru Usman moves closer to welterweight title shot with dominant victory
Kamaru Usman has long looked on course for a crack at Tyron Woodley’s UFC welterweight title. The case of the “Nigerian Nightmare” looks even stronger now after his impressive win over former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on Friday.
Usman, who has now extended his winning streak to 13, was in fine form, largely outstriking and outgrappling dos Anjos with relative ease.
Apart from the second round, where dos Anjos had some success with his striking and also looked to have Usman locked in a tight kimura, Usman dictated every aspect of this five-round fight.
Usman sought after the finish in the fifth round despite his likely decision win, but he had to settle for the judges’ scorecards in the end.
He was rightly awarded the unanimous decision victory.
Usman now holds wins over highly-regarded Brazilians dos Anjos and Demian Maia in his last two fights – an ex-champ and two-time former title contender.
A championship fight between Woodley and Colby Covington appears to be in the works, but Usman certainly did himself plenty of favours by keeping his name in the title picture.
UFC President Dana White likes the idea of a Woodley – Usman fight:
The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale full results
Welterweight: Kamaru Usman defeats Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision after five rounds.
Heavyweight: Juan Espino defeats Justin Frazier by submission (straight armlock) at 3:36 of round one.
Women’s featherweight: Macy Chiasson defeats Pannie Kianzad by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:11 of round two.
Bantamweight: Pedro Munhoz defeats Bryan Carraway by TKO (body kick and punches) at 2:39 of round one.
Middleweight: Edmen Shahbazyan defeats Darren Stewart by split decision after three rounds.
Catchweight: Antonina Shevchenko defeats Ji Yeon Kim by unanimous decision after three rounds.
Catchweight: Kevin Aguilar defeats Rick Glenn by unanimous decision after three rounds.
Flyweight: Joe Benavidez defeats Alex Perez by TKO (punches) at 4:19 of round one.
Heavyweight: Maurice Greene defeats Michel Batista by submission (triangle choke) at 2:14 of round one.
Women’s featherweight: Leah Letson defeats Julija Stoliarenko by split decision after three rounds.
Lightweight: Roosevelt Roberts defeats Darrell Horcher by submission (standing guillotine choke) at 4:50 of round one.
Welterweight: Tim Means defeats Ricky Rainey by TKO (punches) at 1:18 of round one.
Bantamweight: Raoni Barcelos defeats Chris Gutierrez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:12 of round two.
