While the UFC Vegas 14 fight card looked to be in shambles with the consistent cancellation of fights, there was a burst of excitement that the whole MMA community felt once it was announced that Paul Felder would step in. Felder saved Saturday’s main event on only five days notice, stepping up against the former UFC Lightweight champ Rafael Dos Anjos. RDA, for his part, was making the drop back down to the division where he had once held championship gold.
If we’re being honest, it seemed that once this fight was announced, many fans were more excited for Felder vs. Dos Anjos than the card’s original headliner, which saw RDA paired up with Islam Makhachev. And when it came fight time, the two popular lightweights gave everything they had inside the octagon, each man connecting with back-and-forth exchanges.
Dos Anjos got ahead on the judges’ score cards by controlling the clinch against the cage, which put him in position to get well-timed takedowns on Felder. Paul Felder, meanwhile, was durable and had no quit, always getting out of the dangerous positions he was put in. In the end, Dos Anjos’ control against the cage was too much for Felder and was the perfect game plan, earning him a split decision victory.
Check out how the pros reacted to Rafael dos Anjos’ victory at UFC Vegas 14 below.
The Perfect Fight
Great fight by @RdosAnjosMMA he fought the perfect fight, big ups to my main man Paul Felder for taking this fight under these circumstances. @felderpaul this is why you’re loved my man.
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) November 15, 2020
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT #UFCVegas14 @RdosAnjosMMA @felderpaul 💥
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) November 15, 2020
This will be FOTN #UFCVegas14
— Jared Gordon (@JFlashGordonMMA) November 15, 2020
There Goes My Hero
Paul felder is my hero
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 15, 2020
Congrats to @felderpaul and @RdosAnjosMMA for the FOTN performances at #UFCVegas14 massive respect!
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) November 15, 2020
Good fight between Dos Anjos and Felder to close the show ! #UFCVegas14
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) November 15, 2020
Respect from the entire MMA world gentlemen!! 🙌🏼@felderpaul @RdosAnjosMMA #UFCVegas14
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) November 15, 2020
Awesome fight, always bittersweet when you have 2 really good guys and amazing fighters but I loved RDA’s reign as a champion and wouldn’t mind seeing it again. Feel like Felder earned himself a rematch if that happens as well. #UFCVegas14
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) November 15, 2020
All RDA. But still,, Felder is so inspiring fighting the way he fought. Congratulations to the both of them #UFCVegas14
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) November 15, 2020
Where Can We Get a Pair?
Superman wears @felderpaul pajamas to bed #UFCVegas14
— Randy Costa (@RandyCosta135) November 15, 2020
