A welterweight bout featuring former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos taking on Kevin Lee headlined tonight’s UFC Rochester event.

Rafael dos Anjos will enter tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering back-to-back decision losses to Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington in his most recent octagon appearances.

Prior to his recent skid, ‘RDA‘ had burst onto the welterweight scene with a three fight win streak which included victories over Tarec Saffiedine, Neil Mangy and Robbie Lawler.

Meanwhile, Kevin Lee will make his official welterweight debut at tonight’s event. The former UFC interim lightweight title challenger was last seen in action at December’s UFC event in Milwaukee, where he suffered a decision loss to Al Iaquinta. “The Motown Phenom” will enter tonight’s contest sporting a professional record of 17-4.

Round one of the UFC Rochester main event begins and Kevin Lee comes out quickly pumping his jab. Both men land hard kicks. They trade bombs in the pocket. Lee drops ‘RDA’ and keeps the fight on the floor. Dos Anjos scrambles back to his feet and breaks free. Kevin Lee comes forward with a left and then a kick to the body. Rafael dos Anjos circles and lands a jab. Lee replies with an uppercut and then shoots in for a takedown. ‘RDA’ defends but is pressed against the cage. Lee looks for a trip but the Brazilian stops those efforts by locking up an arm and threatening with a kimura. Lee continues to press Dos Anjos up against the cage. He lands some body shot. ‘RDA’ replies with a knee. The fighters break and Lee lands a knee. Rafael replies with a body kick and then a straight right. ‘RDA’ with a flying knee attempt that just falls short. The Brazilian shoots in and scores a late takedown. Lee attempts to scramble but gives up his neck. Kevin Lee breaks free from the hold and the horn sounds to end round one.

Round two of the UFC Rochester main event begins and Kevin Lee comes forward quickly. ‘RDA’ circles to his right and lands a heavy body kick. Lee shoots in for a takedown and presses Dos Anjos up against the cage. He picks up the Brazilian and slams him to the canvas. Rafael dos Anjos seems ok and has locked in a guillotine. He uses the choke to get back to his feet. Lee continues to pressure but misses with a body kick. ‘RDA’ with a high kick that partially lands. He follows that up with a stiff jab and then shoots in and scores a double leg takedown. Lee scrambles back up to his feet. ‘RDA’ greets him with a jab. Kevin Lee lands a high kick and then a flurry. ‘The Motown Phenom’ shoots in for a takedown. Rafael defends and lands an elbow. The fighters continue to battle in the clinch. ‘RDA’ breaks free and lands a couple of hard shots. Lee shoots in for a takedown. Once again Rafael dos Anjos defends. The horn sounds to end round two.

Round three begins and Rafael dos Anjos lands a good punch up the middle to start. Kevin Lee with a nice kick to the body. ‘RDA’ replies with one of his own. The Brazilian shoots in and scores a takedown. He moves immediately to side control. Lee look to scramble back to his feet and does. ‘RDA’ catches him with a knee on the way up. The fighters clinch and Lee scrambles and takes the back of the former champion. He looks for a choke but ‘RDA’ breaks free and winds up in top control. This is a grueling battle. The grappling exchanges have been frequent. Kevin Lee is able to score a late takedown. Rafael switches the position and the fighters end up back on their feet to close out the round.

Round four begins and Rafael dos Anjos is able to get a takedown. After some work on the ground Lee looks exhausted. ‘RDA’ locks in an arm-triangle choke and this one is all over.

Official UFC Rochester Result: Rafael dos Anjos def. Kevin Lee via submission in Round 4