TUF 28 Finale Results: Kamaru Usman defeats Rafael dos Anjos (Highlights)

Tonight’s TUF 28 Finale event was headlined by a key welterweight contest featuring Rafael dos Anjos taking on Kamaru Usman.

The former UFC lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos (28-10 MMA), entered tonight’s main event looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Colby Covington in his most recent contest at UFC 225.

Prior to his setback to “Chaos“, “RDA” was coming off back-to-back wins over Neil Magny and former UFC welterweight title holder Robbie Lawler.

Meanwhile, Kamaru Usman (13-1 MMA) entered tonight’s TUF 28 Finale main event on a twelve-fight win streak, with eight of those victories taking place under the UFC banner. “The Nigerian Nightmare” had defeated Demian Maia in his most recent octagon appearance.

Round one begins and Usman comes out quickly. He takes the center of the octagon and fires off a jab followed by a kick. Usman shoots in and attempts a single leg takedown. Rafael dos Anjos does well to defend. Usman with a nice knee to the body as the pair break off the fence. Usman throws a left jab that misses. “RDA” charges in with a flurry. Usman avoids and then shoots in and scores a big takedown. He immediately passes to half guard. Dos Anjos scrambles back to full guard and then gets back up to his feet. Well done from the Brazilian. Usman still has him pressed against the cage however. He continues to press for the takedown. Rafael dos Anjos fires off a nice knee. Usman remains tight and lands an elbow. The former lightweight champion breaks free of the clinch and circles out. He lands a nice low kick. Usman just walks forward and throws a combination. “The Nigerian Nightmare” pushes Rafael against the cage and begins working for a takedown. Dos Anjos threatens with a guillotine attempt. Usman breaks free and drags the Brazilian to the floor. Rafael dos Anjos eats an elbow but gets his back up against the cage. Dos Anjos with a nice up-kick from his back. Kamaru Usman eats the shot and throws a right hand. The horn sounds to end round one of tonight’s TUF 28 Finale main event.

The up-kick from RDA lands, but Usman just ate it! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/npUIquBTEp

— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018

Round two begins and Kamaru Usman once again starts quickly. He throws a high kick followed by a jab and then proceeds to push Rafael dos Anjos against the cage. Both men exchange knees from the position. Usman lands an uppercut and then drops down for a takedown. Dos Anjos defends and then lands a knee to the body of Kamaru Usman. “RDA” needs to get off the fence. He can’t and Usman drags him down to the floor. Kamaru with some big punches from top position. Dos Anjos begins landing some elbows off of his back. Usman fires back with some punches. “RDA” with another nice elbow from the bottom. He rolls for a kimura. This is a bad spot for Kamaru Usman. Dos Anjos has the hold locked in but doesn’t have room to crank it. He finally gets loose and this is right. Usman scrambles and is able to break free. We are back to standing now and Usman comes forward and lands a jab. He pushes “RDA” back against the cage and fires off an uppercut. Dos Anjos fires back with a punch and then a big high kick. There is no quit in the Brazilian. Round two comes to an end.

dos Anjos goes for the kimura, but Usman rolls out then starts landing shots of his own! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/bAcN2VmPkT

— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018

Round three of the TUF 28 Finale main event and Kamaru Usman charges forward some big punches. He backs Rafael dos Anjos against the cage and rattles off another flurry. Usman shoots in and lands another takedown. “RDA” immediately begins working his way back up. He does and breaks free off the fence. “RDA” with a nice kick. He is bleeding now though. Usman with a nice right hand over the top. That appeared to stun dos Anjos. Usman shoots in and scores a takedown. Just under three minutes remain in round three. Dos Anjos scrambles back to his feet but Usman quickly drags him back down. Once again “RDA” works his way back to his feet. Still, Usman continues to have him pressed against the cage. The size difference in this fight is surreal. Usman looks massive in comparison to the former lightweight champion. Rafael dos Anjos breaks free and lands a jab and then another. He connects with a low kick. A second low kick lands. Usman fires back with a crisp right. Both men land jabs and the horn sounds to spell an end to round three.

Round four begins and both men seem happy to stand and trade early. Usman with a right hand. Rafael dos Anjos with a high kick which is blocked. Usman backs him up and unleashes a combination. He shoots in and lands yet another takedown. Kamaru Usman with some nice ground and pound now. “RDA” is busted up. Still the former UFC lightweight champion continues to fight back. He scrambles back to his feet with just under two minutes remaining in the round. Usman drags him right back to the floor and begins unleashing some hard elbows. Those shots force “RDA” to scramble but all he can manage is half guard. Kamaru Usman has less than a minute enforce his will on Dos Anjos, at least in this round. He begins landing some hammer fists after posturing up. “RDA” is looking for an armbar but Usman is just to strong. The horn sounds to end round four of the TUF 28 Finale main event.

The fifth and final round begins and once again it is Kamaru Usman pressing the action. Rafael dos Anjos fires back but he is clearly getting outpowered here. Nice shots from Usman along the fence. “RDA” fires off a kick and circles out. Usman stays on him and comes in with a flurry. He shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Rafael dos Anjos is looking for a guillotine choke but his hips are not in the right position to execute. Kamaru Usman breaks free and begins to work some ground and pound. “The Nigerian Nightmare” continues to press the action from top position right until the final horn. That was a dominant win.

Usman is teeing off on RDA here in round 5! #TUFFinale pic.twitter.com/qncLrEi9FQ

— UFC (@ufc) December 1, 2018

Official TUF 28 Finale Result: Kamaru Usman defeats Rafael dos Anjos