<center>http://mmafightpicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ufc-on-espn-4.jpg</center></p></html>

<center>![steem crta.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYhtAWD7WvyR3mkWugJYKD8C2xbjbKP4Jdw7HjUADfj4C/steem%20crta.png)</center></p></html>

<center>Hey my fellow SportsTalkers!</center></p></html>
---
<center>In today's post I'd like to talk about the upcoming fight between Rafael Dos Anjos and Leon Edwards who meet at UFC San Antonio as the main event of the evening. Most MMA fans recognize Rafael who's the former lightweight champion and now competes in the welterweight division but I don't know how many of you really recognize the UK's upcoming star Leon Edwards other than from the "3 piece and a soda" incident he had with Jorge Masvidal not too long ago. So I'll start with Leon.</center></p></html>

<center>This is an intriguing matchup between a veteran and the new kid on the block and I'm super hyped to talk about it. Lets jump right into it!</center></p></html>

<center>https://media.giphy.com/media/b73wUq1jFLBTy/giphy.gif</center></p></html>

<center>https://www.lowkickmma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/USATSI_12362936_168382968_lowres.jpg</center></p></html>

<center>**LEON "ROCKY" EDWARDS**</center></p></html>

<center>Born in 1991 Edwards began his professional fighting career in 2010 on the UK circuit where he combined an 8-1 record before signing with UFC in 2014 where he lost in his debut. Since then combined 9 wins only losing to current champion Kamaru Usman back in 2015. Fun fact, Rafaels last loss was VS Kamaru Usman. So the UK kid has some skill defeating Gunnar Nelson and Donald Cerrone amongst others in his last 2 fights. He wasn't on my radar until recently but I definitely see him as a prospect in the division.</center></p></html>

<center>https://media.giphy.com/media/XmbenKvN74oE0/giphy.gif</center></p></html>

<center>Leon is constantly improving his skills and it shows in the fights. Has a great stand up game, uses elbows and knees a lot, has a decent takedown defense and solid ground game (from what I saw in the Gunner Nelson fight). He is facing a monster in Rafael Dos Anjos who can shut down everything that Leon does to prevent the young gun winning.</center></p></html>

<center>Leon has much to gain VS the 4th ranked Dos Anjos but there's no doubt, this will be the biggest test of his "young" fighting career.</center></p></html>

<center>![steem crta.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYhtAWD7WvyR3mkWugJYKD8C2xbjbKP4Jdw7HjUADfj4C/steem%20crta.png)</center></p></html>

<center>![893955364.jpg.0.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQB8iRmpwrGFHiWj2qBhNsSBKXFMXGLHMh9Ewfe2bE7dH/893955364.jpg.0.jpg)</center></p></html>

<center>**RAFAEL DOS ANJOS**</center></p></html>

<center>One of the OG's still going strong, with 40 fights on his record Rafael fought every big name in the lightweight and now in the welterweight division. Being the former champ who earned it the hard way knows he can't take Leon lightly. Defeating Kevin Lee who's also an upcoming young star must have felt good after losing back to back. Rafael is a workhorse still sharpening his tools to claim the welterweight throne one day and go down in the history books as the double champ.</center></p></html>

<center>![3fWU.gif](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQma3PuSGgSRrCzmegfRn9TiUvCnjVGp7rRjPwuoLxkD3YB/3fWU.gif)</center></p></html>

<center>Rafael had his share of ups and downs since winning the lightweight belt but never count this man out. A cardio freak like no other, heavy hands and a very huge arsenal of tools. Being a BJJ black belt can always count on submissions but prefers to dominate his opponents in the stand up before going for a choke. I don't think Leon could defend himself if he gets mounted or if Rafael takes his back in any scenario.</center></p></html>

<center>Of course, I can be wrong but will go with my gut feeling on this one.</center></p></html>

<center>![steem crta.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYhtAWD7WvyR3mkWugJYKD8C2xbjbKP4Jdw7HjUADfj4C/steem%20crta.png)</center></p></html>

<center>https://www.mmaindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BeFunky-collage.jpg</center></p></html>

<center>**How I see this fight going?**</center></p></html>

<center>On paper I give the edge to Leon who is very dominant in his UFC run but really just started facing the top guys of the division. Not taking anything from him of course. Leon has the size advantage and the reach so I hope to see him put in a lot of combos trying to find openings for the big shots that could possibly rock Dos Anjos. I don't see him attempting to take it to the ground at least not for a longer duration of the fight. </center></p></html>

<center>Rafael is a slick cat as we have seen in the fight VS Kevin Lee and numerous other fights, he will wait to wear you out and then proceed to go with the gameplan. Or just beat the sh*t out of his opponents in a crazy back and forth war. I don't know, we might see a surprise but I'll go with Leon Edwards winning by decision.</center></p></html>

<center>A tough, tough fought decision that is.</center></p></html>

<center>What do Yall think?</center></p></html>
---
<center>https://media.giphy.com/media/8lQyyys3SGBoUUxrUp/giphy.gif</center></p></html>

<center>Thanks for stopping by, stay active!</center></p></html>
---
<center>**Photo Source: www.sherdog.com, www.ufc.com, Google**</center></p></html>

<center>![steem crta.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYhtAWD7WvyR3mkWugJYKD8C2xbjbKP4Jdw7HjUADfj4C/steem%20crta.png)</center></p></html>


![finish.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmazpS1nCYDivgNSSkDPAwwJa8CC4dm6hNWvuNcAHCDyoG/finish.gifs)