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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
A really interesting lightweight fight is coming to UFC 170 next February, as Russian site MMABoxing.ru reports that Rustam Khabilov will take on Rafael dos Anjos on the card.
The 27-year-old Khabilov has made a big impression in his UFC run thus far, winning three straight fights in the Octagon. Granted, one came due to an injury to Yancy Medeiros, but he looked impressive against both Vinc Pichel and, most recently, Jorge Masvidal.
His wins in the UFC have moved his winning streak to six fights overall, and he now holds a 17-1 career record. His sole loss came by split decision in February of 2011 to Ruslan Khaskhanov.
As for dos Anjos, the 29-year-old Brazilian has been on a tear to contention since 2012, winning five straight fights. That run has included wins in 2013 over Evan Dunham and Donald Cerrone. The Cerrone win came at UFC Fight Night 27 in Indianapolis this August, with dos Anjos picking up a one-sided decision win.
UFC 170 heads to Las Vegas on February 22, though no headliner is yet set for the card.
Penick's Analysis: This is a real solid fight. It's a step up for Khabilov, and a chance for dos Anjos to keep himself busy against a rising contender. We'll find out a lot about where both fighters are at in this one, and though dos Anjos is currently above Khabilov in the lightweight pecking order, Khabilov's got a dangerous skill set of his own. If he can hang with dos Anjos and pick up a win here, that will catapult him to the next level in the UFC's 155 lb. field.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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