UFC Fight Night 90: 5 keys to victory for Rafael dos Anjos

3. Takedown defense

With dos Anjos having a distinct advantage in this fight as a high-quality striking artist, it goes without saying that a key to this fight is keeping things in the stand up for the champion. The longer Alvarez is on his feet, the more likely it is that dos Anjos will be able to wear him down with his superior technique and pressure.

Luckily for dos Anjos, Alvarez isn’t an elite wrestler and prefers to engage in the stand-up. But with the striking edge, there is a chance that Alvarez tries to score some easier points on the ground with some takedowns. Something that dos Anjos will have to prepare for if he wants to avoid an upset.

dos Anjos’ takedown defense rate in the UFC is a mediocre 66%, so the risk is there if the champion isn’t careful should Alvarez look to go for a takedown to win a round. Making takedown defense a crucial factor in dos Anjos’ attempt to defend the title.

Hopefully dos Anjos spent a good portion of his camp preparing for the takedown as it is the one weak link in his arsenal that could be exploited. If Alvarez makes a move to take things to the ground it could be one of the determining factors in this fight if dos Anjos can’t ward off the underdog with quality takedown defense.

Next: 2. Avoid the judges