Coach: Rafael Fiziev Will Face His First True Test Against Rafael dos Anjos

Andre Pederneiras believes Rafael dos Anjos has what it takes to ascend to the top of the lightweight division once again.

The Nova Uniao trainer will be in dos Anjos’ corner when the ex-155 pound champ squares off against rising contender Rafael Fiziev in the UFC Fight Night 201 headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Feb. 19.

“RDA is the dream of every trainer,” Pederneiras told Sherdog.com. “If you tell him to climb a high mountain and jump from the top, he does, without asking. When you work with a guy like him, you easily understand why he won a title in the lightweight division and challenged for [the interim belt] at welterweight. That´s why I believe not only will he win on Feb. 19, but I truly believe he will get a title shot again.”

Pederneiras is confident a five-round fight will favor his athlete, who has gone the distance in numerous championship and headlining affairs over the course of his UFC career.

“One of the strongest points of RDA is his cardio,” Pederneiras said. “No doubt Fiziev is a great striker, but he will have his first five-round fight against someone who [has plenty of five-round experience]. For sure Fiziev is dangerous, but it is also a fact that he has never faced anyone in his six UFC fights who can knock him out, take him down or submit him. RDA will provide his first test in all aspects of MMA.”

Meanwhile, Pederneiras had been optimistic that former Bellator champion Eduardo Dantas had a great chance to be signed by the UFC with a finish of Jose Alday at Fighting Alliance Championship 12 on Feb. 6 — especially with Dana White in attendance. Pederneiras was disappointed that White ultimately chose two other fighters who competed at the event , even after a knockout win by Dantas.

“I never complained about pay or UFC decisions,” he said. “As a promoter and head coach, my focus has also been on trying to understand the guidelines of the show and then asking my fighters to do what has to be done. Since Dantas, a former two-time Bellator champion, got a spectacular head-kick knockout against a tough kid like Alday and didn’t get hired, I need to understand what has changed regarding UFC goals and guidelines to tell my fighters what they have to change to get a chance.”

Pederneiras said he plans to speak to White or matchmaker Sean Shelby when he arrives in Las Vegas to corner dos Anjos.

“If they tell me that my athletes needs to make capoeira jumps, I’ll get a capoeira coach at Nova União. If they need more jiu-jitsu, we will start to focus on that … I´m not here to complain or create problems,” Pederneiras said. “I just need to understand what the new guidelines are and, if possible, follow them in order to help my fighters accomplish their dreams.”