UFC Brings a stacked card this weekend in the form of UFC 216. While the fight card is filled with fights worth looking forward to there are three in particular that you need to keep an eye out for.
Derrick Lewis vs Fabricio Werdum
This is an interesting matchup especially from the vantage point of Fabricio Werdum, who after losing his title last year, is coming off a close decision loss to no.1 ranked Alistair Overeem in a fight which he was extremely close to winning. For him to take on no.6 ranked Derrick Lewis, it's a big risk considering that the 'Black Beast' has very little or nothing to lose, but all to gain with a strong showing.
Werdum is 40 years old and just isn't the same kind of athlete he was, even 2 years ago. He looked slow and lacked creativity in his fight against Overeem, which is not a great sign when facing a powerhouse in Lewis. Lewis on the other hand, while coming off a loss to Mark Hunt in May, is among the more popular fighters on the roster and can turn the fight on its head with just one strike.
I believe that the best possible approach for Werdum would be to somehow take the fight to the ground and possibly submit the Texan there. However, there's a bit of size difference at play here and Werdum hasn't show the conventional wrestling skills to take some of the big men in the division. But, he also is the far superior technical fighter and combined with his experience, can think on his feet a lot better than most and can outpoint Lewis.
Prediction : Fabricio Werdum wins via decision
Ray Borg vs Demetrious Johnson
The record 11th title defense for the GOAT didn't have to wait too long as the fight, after falling apart last month, is happening tonight after the UFC matchmakers gave it another go. A month is not much time apart, especially if you're Demetrious Johnson, who has the best team in the sport around him.
He still looks as motivated as ever and judging by the looks of it, is more likely to push for a finish after Borg caused the fight to fall apart in the first place, last month. Matchup wise, Borg is very similar to his last two opponents, Tim Elliott and Wilson Reis. Both were bigger in size than DJ and tremendous grapplers. However, it just so happens to be that the much-vaunted scrambling skills of Borg will be put to test against the very best scrambler in Johnson.
DJ, trained by the inimitable Matt Hume, is undoubtedly the best scrambler in the division and that's bad news for Borg, who has won all but one of his fights in his career, via TKO or submission. His standup game, while competent, is no match for that of Johnson, who apart from the quickest guy in the weight-class is also the most accurate.
Prediction : Johnson via submission, Rd 4
Kevin Lee vs Tony Ferguson
The main event is one that got the spot, despite it being for an interim title, because of the names involved in the fight, and for the stakes at play.
Tony Ferguson has for long been considered the true no.1 contender in the division, riding an incredible 9-fight win streak. The unconventional fighter however, is far from unbeatable, as he's shown to take some damage in most of his fights in that time. However, his will is something to behold and can take and wear damage unlike anybody in the division.
Kevin Lee, on the other hand, is pulling off what Cody Garbrandt did last year, as he went from unranked to title fight within a year. 'The Motown Phenom' is every bit as game inside the octagon as he is on the mic, outside of it. Riding a 5-fight win streak himself, Lee has looked increasingly impressive in every subsequent fight of his, and I believe him to be as strong-willed as Ferguson inside the cage.
The nine-fight win streak of Ferguson isn't without an asterisk though, as he fouled in both of his biggest wins, Edson Barboza and Rafael Dos Anjos. A illegal upkick on the floor rocked Barboza before he got finished while an eyepoke left Dos Anjos seeing double in his contest against 'El Cucuy'. Lee will be aware of this fact going into his fight tonight and will also be the technically superior fighter between the two.
I like Lee in this fight and I do see him getting the nod after a hard-fought 5-round battle against the grinding Mexican.
Prediction : Kevin Lee win by decision
WATCH UFC 216 Live and Exclusive on 8th October 2017 Sunday 7:30 AM on SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD.