Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Rani Yahya
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Matched against Ricky Simon at UFC 234
Yahya will take on Ricky Simon at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia on Feb. 9, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Yahya is riding a three-match win streak, with all three victories coming via submission. He most recently submitted Luke Sanders just 1:31 into the first round at UFC Fight Night 135 in August. His opponent, Simon, has a streak of seven wins of his own, including victories in each of his first two UFC fights.
Yahya is riding a three-match win streak, with all three victories coming via submission. He most recently submitted Luke Sanders just 1:31 into the first round at UFC Fight Night 135 in August. His opponent, Simon, has a streak of seven wins of his own, including victories in each of his first two UFC fights.
Sinks early heel hook on Luke Sanders
Yahya defeated Luke Sanders via submission (heel hook) at 1:31 of Round 1 at UFC Lincoln on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Yahya has now won 10 of his last 13 professional fights, and though he won't get the title shot he called for after the bout, it wouldn't be out of the question for UFC brass to give him a ranked bantamweight opponent. In this matchup, Yahya landed an early body kick that clearly affected Sanders, and led to him getting a takedown. Though Yahya was unsuccessful on his first heel hook attempt, he remained persistent and forced Sanders to tap on the second. It was the third consecutive submission victory for the 33-year-old Brazilian.
Yahya has now won 10 of his last 13 professional fights, and though he won't get the title shot he called for after the bout, it wouldn't be out of the question for UFC brass to give him a ranked bantamweight opponent. In this matchup, Yahya landed an early body kick that clearly affected Sanders, and led to him getting a takedown. Though Yahya was unsuccessful on his first heel hook attempt, he remained persistent and forced Sanders to tap on the second. It was the third consecutive submission victory for the 33-year-old Brazilian.
Booked against Luke Sanders in August
Yahya will fight Luke Sanders at UFC Lincoln on Aug. 25, Guilherme Cruz of MMAfighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Yahya recently continued his strong stretch of fights, finishing Russell Doane off by an Arm-Triangle Choke back in February. That marked his sixth win over his last seven bouts, bringing his career record up to 25-9. The 33-year-old will now matchup with Luke Sanders, who owns a 12-2 record and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Patrick Williams. Considering Yahya owns 19 submissions compared to zero KO/TKOs, look for plenty of takedown attempts and action on the mat.
Yahya recently continued his strong stretch of fights, finishing Russell Doane off by an Arm-Triangle Choke back in February. That marked his sixth win over his last seven bouts, bringing his career record up to 25-9. The 33-year-old will now matchup with Luke Sanders, who owns a 12-2 record and is coming off a unanimous decision win over Patrick Williams. Considering Yahya owns 19 submissions compared to zero KO/TKOs, look for plenty of takedown attempts and action on the mat.
Rolls over Russell Doane Saturday in Orlando
Yahya defeated Russell Doane via submission (Triangle Choke) at 2:32 of Round 3 at UFC on FOX 28 on Saturday in Orlando.
ANALYSIS
Easy work. Yahya has had issues with his conditioning in the past, but he isn't going to gas out in a fight in which he spends virtually the entirety of the bout controlling his opponent. The Brazilian ended up landing 105 total strikes compared to just 15 from Doane, virtually all of which came while he was in a dominant position. Yahya (33 years old) isn't getting any younger, but he is currently in the midst of the best run (6-1) of his professional career. 19 of Yahya's 25 career wins have come via submission.
Easy work. Yahya has had issues with his conditioning in the past, but he isn't going to gas out in a fight in which he spends virtually the entirety of the bout controlling his opponent. The Brazilian ended up landing 105 total strikes compared to just 15 from Doane, virtually all of which came while he was in a dominant position. Yahya (33 years old) isn't getting any younger, but he is currently in the midst of the best run (6-1) of his professional career. 19 of Yahya's 25 career wins have come via submission.
Booked in Orlando
Yahya will take on Russell Doane in a bantamweight matchup at UFC Orlando on Feb. 24, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Yahya has been with the UFC since 2011, and has lost only one fight in the last three years. Though he had to withdraw from his last matchup against Aljamain Sterling, it appears his health is in order at this time. The Brazilian is a grappling artist by trade, with 18 career submissions and zero victories via KO/TKO. He'll be facing an American fighter in Doane that is likely on his last legs with the promotion, having gone 1-4 in his last five bouts.
Yahya has been with the UFC since 2011, and has lost only one fight in the last three years. Though he had to withdraw from his last matchup against Aljamain Sterling, it appears his health is in order at this time. The Brazilian is a grappling artist by trade, with 18 career submissions and zero victories via KO/TKO. He'll be facing an American fighter in Doane that is likely on his last legs with the promotion, having gone 1-4 in his last five bouts.