UFC Fight Night Blaydes vs. Lewis Predictions

Feb. 17, 2021
by Adam Lykkesteen
UFC Expert
VegasInsider.com

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: BLAYDES VS. LEWIS MAIN EVENT PICKS & PREDICTIONS

  • Date: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021
  • TV-Time: ESPN/ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Venue: UFC Apex
  • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

MAIN EVENT - Heavyweight Bout

CURTIS BLAYDES VS. DERRICK LEWIS

We have a heavyweight clash on our hands in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis.

Curtis Blaydes, whose wrestling abilities are unmatched in the heavyweight division, will most likely look to drag his opponent to the mat and keep the fight there. Sometimes he finds a finish via his ground and pound, but if he doesn't, he has no problem winning on the judges' scorecards.

His opponent, Derrick Lewis, is perhaps one of the most powerful punchers in the UFC's history. With power to even make Francis Ngannou think twice about engaging, Lewis can turn a fight around with just one punch. Literally. In his fight against Alexander Volkov, he turned what seemed an inevitable 30-27 on its head and flatlined the Russian with a punch just seconds shy of the final buzzer.

You don't want to trade with Lewis, and I think Blaydes is very aware of that.

The thing is, with Blaydes not only being the bigger ham in this matchup, he also has significantly better stats in almost every category you can think of, and then you have to add in his wrestling.

This is probably the purest wrestler vs. striker matchup we've seen in a long time. One guy wants to grapple, the other wants to strike. But given that we just see the wrestler winning those matchups 8/10 times, I can't see this fight going against that narrative.

Lewis is tough, though, and it'll probably take Blaydes a few round to wear down 'The Black Beast' and empty his gas tank, before he can end the fight.

Blaydes vs. Lewis Prediction

C. Blaydes by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 3 (+1000 - BetMGM)

CO-MAIN EVENT: Women's Bantamweight Bout

KETLEN VIEIRA VS. YANA KUNITSKAYA

In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis we see no. 7th ranked Yana Kunitskaya try to climb the rankings as she takes on the no. 6th ranked Ketlen Vieira. .

After a devastating KO loss to Irene Aldana, unbeaten Ketlen Vieira bounced back with a win over Sijara Eubanks last September, and is now looking to string two wins together against Kunitskaya.

Vieira is a very well-rounded mixed martial artist, and a force to be reckoned with in the women's bantamweight divison. She has the grappling, and if that doesn't work, she has good hands too.

Now, looking at the opponent. Yana Kunitskaya, 31, is currently on a similar career trajectory to Vieira, as she also faced a KO loss two fights ago, but managed to get a win in her last outing.

Despite being the big favorite in this matchup, I feel like Kunitskaya is actually the better striker compared to Vieira.

Ketlen has been outlanded in 5 of her 6 UFC bouts, and despite winning most of those fights, it doesn't exactly add value to your side when you're a -275 favorite.

Vieira might have the better submission skills, but I think Kunitskaya can keep this fight on the feet and outstrike the Brazilian.

The more technically sound striker gets it done.

Vieira vs. Kunitskaya Predictions

Prediction: Yana Kunitskaya by Decision (+350 - BetMGM)

Odds & Bouts Subject to Change