Former UFC Champion Rafael Dos Anjos Emerges As Welterweight Contender At UFC 215

MMA

UFC's Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is out of action as he nurses a labrum injury, but contenders are slowly emerging for his 170-pound title -- much thanks to Saturday's UFC 215 show from Edmonton. 

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos could see himself in line for another championship opportunity, as he put away Neil Magny in the first round of their bout. After sweeping Magny to the ground, dos Anjos controlled the much larger opponent and submitted him with an arm-triangle choke. 

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You can see an excerpt from Fightful.com's lead boxing writer David Tees and his UFC 215 live coverage below.

Round One: The round begins with Magny jabbing away against Dos Anjos, Dos Anjos drops Magny with a leg kick and he gets side control on the ground. Magny quickly traps Dos Anjos in the half guard while eating some strikes, Dos Anjos starts attacking Magny with some elbow strikes. Dos Anjos regains the side control position against Magny, Dos Anjos quickly advances to the full mount against Magny. Dos Anjos locks in the arm triangle choke and Magny taps out.

Official Result: #10 Rafael Dos Anjos def. #6 Neil Magny by submission via arm triangle choke (3:43, R1)

After the fight, dos Anjos proclaimed that he was coming for Woodley's welterweight title. 

RDA moved up to Welterweight this year after having issues with his body cutting to lightweight. He was immediately tasked with facing former Strikeforce Welterweight Champ Tarec Saffiedine in Singapore, where he walked away with a one-sided unanimous victory.

You can see our full, live coverage and discussion of UFC 215 at this link, and the Fightful.com UFC 215 post-show podcast at this link.

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