Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: How does Rafael dos Anjos stack up against UFC Champ Anthony Pettis?
Dec 17, 2014 - 8:55:01 PM ROUNDTABLE: How does Rafael dos Anjos stack up against UFC Champ Anthony Pettis?

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How do you think Rafael dos Anjos' game stacks up against UFC Champ Anthony Pettis if that fight happens next? Where might he have some advantages, if any, and do you think he could score the upset to capture the title?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

How do I think Rafael dos Anjos' game stacks up against UFC Champ Anthony Pettis? Poorly. But that's the same answer I would give for anyone who's going to be fighting Pettis anytime soon, sans Jose Aldo. Dos Anjos might be the second best contender in the division, but the gulf between him and Pettis is vast. I would argue that gulf is wider than the gulf between dos Anjos and the version of Nathan Diaz that dos Anjos fought on Saturday night. if dos Anjos wans to stand in the pocket and trade hard kicks with the best kicker in the sport, well, more power to you friend. I'll send you a get well soon card while you recuperate from surgery.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he'll do all right. I don't think he has the advantage anywhere, but I certainly think he could upset Pettis. Obviously, Pettis has a big advantage on the feet, but it's not as though RDA is a bum there. He's a very good striker in his own right and capable of knocking Pettis out. I think they're both very close in terms of grappling and submissions, it's likely a toss-up as to who's better in each area. I think Pettis should be favored by a good deal because of the way he's taken out guys, but RDA absolutely can beat him.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well if he is able to land those murderous leg kicks then Pettis is in trouble, but Pettis is an entirely different beast than Nate Diaz, who decided to stand there and take them. That's opposed to Pettis, who can probably kill a man with one strike. Pettis is more likely to reply with a devastating one punch KO than a stance switch and taking further punishment. I don't imagine we will see many takedowns in this bout, but I do believe we will see it go further than most Pettis fights because Dos Anjos is able to absorb a lot of damage and throw harder than most lightweights. It will be a fun fight, but in the end this will be Anthony Pettis's fight to win or lose.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think he stacks up as well as anyone against Pettis. He has both a good ground game and standup, which is necessary to test Pettis. I think he would have an advantage on the ground, but think he will have a tough time getting Pettis down there. I don't think it's likely he'll be able to pull off the upset.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

As much as Rafael has improved as of late, I still don't think it'll be enough to compete with Anthony Pettis. This might sound crazy or even deluded, but Pettis is on a whole new level to dos Anjos. He might've dispatched Benson Henderson inside the first round, though the stoppage was questionable, then beat an out of shape fighter that came to fight purely because of the money, but that doesn't necessarily warrant a title shot.

Ok, dos Anjos put a beating on a very tough opponent in Diaz, but Pettis isn't Diaz, and he won't be able to employ the same tactics which saw him take a one sided victory on Saturday night.

If RDA can come out early and shock Pettis when he's cold, it might be his best bet of winning. Anything else, I can't see him beating him. This should be another routine victory for the champion, and it will likely come in style.


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Rafael dos Anjos stacks up well against anyone in the lightweight division who isn't named Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, Anthony Pettis will have a striking advantage, though who's to say that dos Anjos can't pressure Pettis along the fence and clip him, then lock in a submission? Although Pettis pulled out the victory against Gilbert Melendez, I think forcing Pettis backwards and along the fence limits some of his offensive weapons. Plus, Melendez was able to hit Pettis several times, and I believe dos Anjos has faster hand speed. Although I know dos Anjos may possibly be getting the nod due to a Nurmagomedov injury, in my opinion dos Anjos is much more deserving of the title shot.