UFC Fight Night Almeida vs Lewis Odds, Prediction & Betting Tips
Live from Sao Paulo, Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis, the #9 and #10 UFC heavyweight contenders, headline a native-filled Fight Night card in Brazil.
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In his five fights with the organisation so far, the homegrown "Malhadinho" has not required the judges once. Almeida has finished all of his opponents on the greatest MMA stage, earning himself a contract with the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series via the same method inside two rounds back in September 2021.
Derrick Lewis is the late notice replacement for this UFC Fight Night main event, stepping in for Curtis Blaydes who was forced to withdraw due to injury. "The Black Beast" broke a three-fight skid last time out with his sensational flying knee KO over Marcos Rogerio de Lima inside 30 seconds. Lewis has been around the block within the organisation, making his debut in 2014 and participating in 27 fights under the umbrella.
UFC Fight Night Almeida vs Lewis Tips
Jailton Almeida To Win By Submission
1/5 favourite Almeida is expected to steamroll his opponent this weekend and his most likely method of doing so will be via submission. Four of the 32-year-old's six finishes associated with the organisation have come by submission, a clear comfort zone for the Brazilian.
Serghei Spivac was the latest to submit Derrick Lewis two fights ago back in February, establishing the American's second submission lost after Daniel Cormier ended their title fight at UFC 230 through a rear naked choke five years ago. The New Orleans bruiser is the type of fighter to live and die by the sword, having seen the distance only four times in his long career with the organisation.
Lewis knows his best chance of beating Almeida is to exert his energy at the front end of the fight and attempt to get his opponent out of there early. His confidence will be high after the remarkable fashion he won his last fight, however, let's not forget that Lewis had lost three consecutive brawls before that. There's quite a gap in levels between these two and Almeida is likely to show that once Lewis' energy levels have depleted.
Jailton Almeida To Win in Round 3
Derrick Lewis isn't conditioned for a five-round fight, so the chances of us needing the judges in Brazil are slim to none as mentioned earlier. Lewis isn't going to pace himself out there in a bid to test Almeida's resolve in those championship rounds, he's going to empty the gas tank with everything he's got in the first two rounds in search of a spectacular knockout.
Almeida's stand up game isn't the most glamorous, but there is more than enough evidence from his previous fights and his kickboxing background that he will be able to hold his own against a weathered Derrick Lewis. All fights start on the feet, however, that doesn't mean that Almeida has to keep it there. By using his exceptional grappling, the #9 heavyweight contender can wrestle his way through Lewis, breaking up those standing exchanges and tiring the 38-year-old before finding an opening and submitting him in the third round in front of a raucous home crowd.
