How much has Rda improved since the Khabib fight?

[Alanf7]

During the time of the Khabib fight Rda looked good, until Khabib ragdolled him, but since the Bendo fight he looked unstoppable esp during the Pettis fight.
I think he gets the job done this time around with Khabib especially in a 5 round fight.
Anyone agree?

 

[Reach4theSky]

I don't agree. I've been saying Khabib will be the next LW champ for almost three years now. I'm going to stick with that.

 

[FenoxSky]

I'm taking RDA in the rematch, his footwork has been steadily improving and that will be key in not getting caught in as much takedowns as he did. I do think he needs a finish or to seriously hurt Khabib at one moment to get it done though, but I think he can do it.

 

[HelloJapan]

Maybe watch his fights and gain your own assessment.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

I too would say RDA. RDA is tough, explosive and he also knows what it is too be on the losing end. He is a good example of someone who has learned to overcome his flaws. Khabib still thinks he has no flaws at all.....every fighter has them......

 

[Fullmount Triangle]

The biggest difference between Dos Anjos before and after Khabib is a sense of urgency and pressure. He had a tendency to coast in fights he was winning before Khabib, now he goes at you every minute of the round, he brings relentless pressure to avoid being pressured himself. It's helped he hasn't ofught a dominant wrestler, as that's really the style that's given him any trouble, but the improvement in kicks, confidence, punching and pressuring footwork is incredibly strong

 

[AimedWithV]

I'm taking RDA in the rematch, his footwork has been steadily improving and that will be key in not getting caught in as much takedowns as he did. I do think he needs a finish or to seriously hurt Khabib at one moment to get it done though, but I think he can do it.

I haven't seen this footwork. Pretty much same as Cowboy fight.

Aggression - yes, he became more intensive in his attacks, and that turns off rhythm of fighters like Cowboy, Pettis and Benson.
But not footwork.

 

[AimedWithV]

Explosiveness and pressure of a striker doesn't do too good against takedowns, guys...

 

[MMAProfessional]

I think people are sleeping on Khabib. They see his layoff as RDA has surpassed him but I don't see the rematch being much different. Takedown defense against a sambo/judo fighter is hard to overcome. Kinda like Tate vs Rousey. Sure Tate has gotten a lot better since their last fight and she's been active but do you really think that Tate takes the rematch?

 

[FenoxSky]

I haven't seen this footwork. Pretty much same as Cowboy fight.

Aggression - yes, he became more intensive in his attacks, and that turns off rhythm of fighters like Cowboy, Pettis and Benson.
But not footwork.

Not footwork? Foot positioning against Pettis was stellar, even if basic. Always had weak dominant angles when entering the pocket, and he now pivots and sidesteps a lot more cleanly than he used to. Are you serious?

 

[Gunny]

I think if you're talking about RDA's footwork your perception of the sport is challenged. His footwork has always consisted of charging in a straight line through guys who stand right in front of him. A lot of his recent success is due to facing some weaker guys he could corral in order to set up the charge. It was actually Khabib's superior footwork that won their first fight.

 

[AimedWithV]

Not footwork? Foot positioning against Pettis was stellar, even if basic. Always had weak dominant angles when entering the pocket, and he now pivots and sidesteps a lot more cleanly than he used to. Are you serious?

OK, of course some of the improvement did happen - after all it's not the same person who got outstruck by Griffin.

Nevertheless, it's nothing special - RDA still absorbed enough strikes from Pettis, and it doesn't even matter - what matters is, that it's not some crazy footwork that will not let Khabib come close and throw him. And RDA is a type of fighter that comes close himself, and that's the problem. His movement is to attack, not to avoid an attack.

 

[ArtemV]

RDA has looked more patient since the fight. But, he hasn't fought anyone close to Khabib's level on the ground/grappling. Which fighter that he has fought was going to be actively looking for takedowns against him? None.

Khabib will tko him this time.

 

[AimedWithV]

A lot of his recent success is due to facing some weaker guys he could corral in order to set up the charge.

Not sure if weaker, but their styles don't feel good against relentless striking/wrestling pressure of RDA:
- Cerrone is a VERY slow starter;
- Benson is a mixer between attack and counterattack, looking for dominant performances;
- Pettis is counter striker of single shots.

All of them don't like when someone imposes his will.

Khabib - he will just grab what comes close to him and throw it.

 

[AimedWithV]

Which fighter that he has fought was going to be actively looking for takedowns against him? .

Jason High

 

[FenoxSky]

OK, of course some of the improvement did happen - after all it's not the same person who got outstruck by Griffin.

Nevertheless, it's nothing special - RDA still absorbed enough strikes from Pettis, and it doesn't even matter - what matters is, that it's not some crazy footwork that will not let Khabib come close and throw him. And RDA is a type of fighter that comes close himself, and that's the problem. His movement is to attack, not to avoid an attack.

Relative position makes a huge different when defending takedowns, and the best method to be able to pressure without getting taken down.
If RDA and his team are smart enough they'll use this new understanding to boost his chances, getting angles once on the clinch is a huge part of Khabib's takedown game, and RDA seemed pretty lost in long once the chains became too long, and also how to keep Khabib off him once they entered the pocket. I think it won't be as easy this time and this will maximize his chances both on the feet and on the clinch to find a big moment and turn the tides.

 

[FenoxSky]

I think if you're talking about RDA's footwork your perception of the sport is challenged. His footwork has always consisted of charging in a straight line through guys who stand right in front of him. A lot of his recent success is due to facing some weaker guys he could corral in order to set up the charge. It was actually Khabib's superior footwork that won their first fight.

So you're telling me that guy anyone can charge straight at Pettis and Cerrone and not get blasted?
C'mon son, if it weren't for RDA's combination of relative foot position, integrated footwork and shot selection he would've gotten hurt really bad. Rafael's pressuring footwork might not be flashy but it's pretty damn good, elite guys know how to circle, it's the sidestepping and the way you enter a combination what enables you to both push a guy's back to the fence and not get hit everytime you go in like Ronda did against Holm.

 

[AimedWithV]

Relative position makes a huge different when defending takedowns, and the best method to be able to pressure without getting taken down.
If RDA and his team are smart enough they'll use this new understanding to boost his chances, getting angles once on the clinch is a huge part of Khabib's takedown game, and RDA seemed pretty lost in long once the chains became too long, and also how to keep Khabib off him once they entered the pocket. I think it won't be as easy this time and this will maximize his chances both on the feet and on the clinch to find a big moment and turn the tides.

This is simply not his style - neither RDA's, nor Cordeiro's.
They love offense. They love going forward, thai clinches, leg kicks and body kicks. They build their base around Muai Thai, which is not bad.

Look at Dariush today. Great, talented fighter. Would he been thrown by Khabib. Oh yes he would.

Two fighters have footwork that can be good against Khabib - Michael Menace and El Cucuy. RDA has other tools.

 

[ArtemV]

Jason High

Oh yeah, if I remember correctly, Jason High even got RDA down more than once and held him there, until he got finished.

 

[FenoxSky]

This is simply not his style - neither RDA's, nor Cordeiro's.
They love offense. They love going forward, thai clinches, leg kicks and body kicks. They build their base around Muai Thai, which is not bad.

Look at Dariush today. Great, talented fighter. Would he been thrown by Khabib. Oh yes he would.

Two fighters have footwork that can be good against Khabib - Michael Menace and El Cucuy. RDA has other tools.

Dos Anjos has already showed a better understanding of angles on his recent outings.
There is no need to see a similar match up to see material improvements in technique, he's simply doing stuff he didn't use to.