This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Rafael dos Anjos Turns 29

Rafael dos Anjos turns 29 this week. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Stock in Rafael dos Anjos has never been higher.

The well-rounded Brazilian -- who celebrates his 29th birthday on Oct. 26 -- has rattled off five consecutive victories inside the cutthroat Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight division, cementing his place as a top 10 fighter at 155 pounds and staking his claim as a potential title contender.

Dos Anjos has compiled a 9-4 mark since arriving in the UFC in November 2008. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt last appeared at UFC Fight Night 27 in August, when he took a unanimous decision over Donald Cerrone at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Dos Anjos has secured 10 of his 20 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. His list of victims includes “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 6 semifinalist George Sotiropoulos, recent Bellator MMA signee Terry Etim and World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Kamal Shalorus.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday the week covering Oct. 20-Oct. 26:

OCT. 20

John Fraser (36)

OCT. 21

Clint Godfrey (31)

OCT. 22

Ajlin Ahmic (29)
Kosuke Suzuki (29)
Rin Nakai (27)

OCT. 23

Jeremy May (27)

OCT. 24

Orlando Wiet (48)
David Mitchell (34)
James McSweeney (33)
Mark Bocek (32)
Jesse Forbes (29)

OCT. 25

Eric Davila (37)
Keith Wisniewski (32)

OCT. 26

Seth Baczynski (32)
Rafael dos Anjos (29)

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