5 fighters in desperate need of a win at UFC 272

#2. Rafael dos Anjos – UFC lightweight contender

Rafael Dos Anjos has taken a high-risk, low-reward bout with Renato Moicano this weekend

Initially, the co-headline bout at UFC 272 was set to see former lightweight kingpin Rafael dos Anjos take on hot prospect Rafael Fiziev. In that bout, most of the pressure would’ve been on Fiziev to perform and break into the elite at 155lbs.

However, with the Kazakhstani sidelined due to a positive COVID-19 test, the UFC were forced to scramble for a replacement this week. They eventually decided on Renato Moicano, who last fought in February, choking out Alexander Hernandez.

It’s fair to say that Moicano is an excellent fighter. However, given that he is not ranked in the promotion’s top 15 right now, this is a high-risk, low-reward bout for dos Anjos.

Should the veteran win, he will have beaten an unranked, arguably underrated fighter who took a fight on very late notice. It won’t advance dos Anjos in the rankings, and it’s likely he’ll be matched with Fiziev again in the future.

If he loses, though, any idea of him making another run at the lightweight title will be dead in the water. It’s likely that his career as a top-level fighter will also be seen as over too.

Therefore, ‘RDA’ is in an absolute must-win situation this weekend. Arguably more than anyone else on this card, he cannot afford to lose.

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#1. Jorge Masvidal – UFC welterweight contender

Jorge Masvidal needs a win this weekend to remain a relevant superstar in the welterweight division

While he remains one of the UFC’s most bankable stars and one of their biggest draws right now, it’s safe to say that Jorge Masvidal is in a must-win situation this weekend. For more than one reason too.

‘Gamebred’ is set to headline the event against friend turned bitter rival Colby Covington. Given the amount of trash that both men have talked coming into the bout, the idea of Masvidal losing to ‘Chaos’ is probably unpalatable for him.

More to the point, though, if he does lose, very valid questions will probably begin to be asked about his relevance to the welterweight division on the whole.

Masvidal has not won a bout inside the octagon since his win over Nate Diaz in November 2019. He’s only fought twice since in a pair of losses to Kamaru Usman.

Naturally, there’s no shame in losing to ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, but as more time passes, Masvidal’s wins over Diaz, Ben Askren and Darren Till look less impressive.

If ‘Gamebred’ can overcome Covington, nobody could question the idea that he’s still one of the world’s most dangerous 170lbers. If he loses, though – particularly by stoppage – then not only will fans begin to question his durability, they’ll also wonder whether he can still compete at the top.

Therefore, if Masvidal wants more big-time headline bouts like this one – and more money – in his future, then he absolutely needs to win this weekend.