UFC Vegas 19 - Fight Previews and Predictions

(youtube.com/UFC)

Curtis Blaydes vs Derrick Lewis

Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis square off in a battle of two of the scariest looking men in the sport. This matchup of top heavyweight contenders is a clash of stylistic backgrounds. Lewis is a big time striker. The UFC leader for Heavyweight knockouts is always looking to turn your lights off. And he can at any moment. Just ask Alexander Volkov, Travis “Where’s Ronda Rousey’s Fine Ass @“ Browne, or Gabriel Gonzaga about Lewis’ power. Derrick’s weakness have always been his takedown and submission defense, but we have seen him improve as of late. Accomplished grapplers like Ilir Latifi, Aleksei Oleinik, and Fabricio Werdum were not able to control or submit Lewis on the ground. The only person to do so effectively was DC. But this weakness plays directly into the hands of Curtis Blaydes. The former National Champion wrestler has made a name for himself as one of the most feared grapplers in the division. Submissions? Nah son. Curtis “Razor” Blaydes would rather slice you up from the guard Mark Coleman style. S/O to The Hammer. As I stated in my fighter previews, Blaydes is in a tough spot rankings wise. He has only lost two fights ever in his career, but they are both to the man ranked above him, Francis Ngannou. Blaydes is now stuck behind Francis, who is next line for the belt. And Jon Jones is behind Francis. Curtis has been open to staying active and not waiting for the top of the division to play out. He has a chance to certify himself as the best contender in the division and put himself next in line. Prediction? I think Blaydes gets it done. As much as I’d like to buy Derrick Lewis 5 shots after a win, I think Curtis can control the fight with his wrestling. Casual fans might hate this fight, but Blaydes’ control is unmatched.

(Esther Lin/MMA Fighting)

Prediction: Blaydes, Unanimous Decision

Ketlen Vieira vs Yana Kunitskaya

Ketlen Vieira vs Yana Kunitskaya is an important fight in an empty weight class. The talent in the division is there, that’s not why it’s empty. It’s empty because they have all got murked by Nunes. This division needs contenders and these two women have a chance to join the short list Saturday night. Vieira was a massive prospect, the biggest in the division, before being knocked out by Irene Aldana in December 2019. She since bounced back with a unanimous decision win over Sijara Eubanks. Yana has secured veteran status among the UFC’s Women’s divisions. She made her UFC debut in a title fight against Cris Cyborg. She was admittedly wasn’t ready for the big stage and has bounced back nicely since, going 3-1. She has started to show a more well-rounded game to match her tae-kwon do skills. Yana seems ready to continue her rise to a second title shot. I think she can control this fight and will the stand up exchanges. If Vieira can use her strength and power, I believe she will do well. Give me the upset!

(Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC. via Getty Images)

Prediction: Kunitskaya, Unanimous Decision

Darrick Minner vs Charles Rosa

Every main card needs a fan friendly scrap. This is the one Sean Shelby has cooked up for his this week. Darrick Minner is a longtime veteran of the MMA game, but he’s working on only his 3rd UFC appearance on Saturday. Minner broke into the UFC by stepping up to the plate and fighting Grant Dawson on short notice. This was after Minner had lost on Dana White’s Contender Series. Dawson took home the W, but Minner’s willingness to scrap left a good impression on Uncle Dana. His second chance was against Contender Series standout TJ Laramie. Minner handled his business like a winner and choked out Laramie before dinner. BARS! Darrick got the guillotine finish in 52 seconds. Now he’s got a big chance against UFC vet Charles Rosa. Rosa is kind of the opposite on Minner in terms of career. Rosa only has 17 total MMA fights, 19 less than Minner, but 8 of his have been with the UFC. He has grown as a fighter inside the promotion and has established himself as a gatekeeper of the division. By the way, being a gatekeeper isn’t bad. You have to be good enough to stay around. Anyways, Rosa has never been able to crack into the top 15 of the division, despite fighting a who’s who of contenders. He is 4-4 in the promotion and looking to get a run started. Give me “Boston Strong” in this fight. I think Charles is an underrated grappler and has a bevy of experience to lean on.

(Jasen Vinlove/USA Today Sports)

Prediction: Rosa, Submission, Round 1

Aleksei Oleinik vs Chris Daukaus

This is the biggest moment of Chris Daukaus’ young career. A matchup with the #10 ranked Oleinik could put him on the fast track to the long list of contenders at Heavyweight. Daukaus has been impressive in his 2 UFC victories. He eliminated Parker Porter and Rodrigo Nascimento in the first round with his crisp boxing and high output. He is going to have to sure up his defense to go against “The Boa Constrictor.” Aleksei Oleinik is the scary Russian dude that always sits at the same table, alone and aloof. But everyone there knows he could strangle them whenever he wants. You know, that guy. The 43 year old accomplished grappler made his MMA debut in 1996 and has over 50 professional wins. He is 8-5-1 since joining the promotion in 2014. He has 46 career submission victories including tap outs of Mirko “Cro Cop”, Travis Browne, and Mark Hunt. This fight will come down to one simple question. Can Daukaus keep the fight on the feet? Honestly, I bet no.

(Esther Lin/MMA Fighting)

Prediction: Oleinik, Submission, Round 2

Nassourdine Imavov vs Phil Hawes

Phil Hawes is one of Dana’s favorite guys. I think it’s because he is an absolute unit with crazy power. Since making it into the UFC off his second appearance on Contender Series, Hawes is 1-0 with a monster :18 second KO of Jacob Malkoun. He is going up against the “Russian Sniper” Naasourdine Imavov. Imavov has impressed in his short time within the promotion as well. He is currently on a 6 fight winning streak capped off by a W in his UFC debut against Jordan Williams. This is an exciting matchup of two different striking styles. Imavov would like to be quick and agile. He will look to pick apart Hawes with sharp shots. Hawes is looking to take his head off at all times. Give me Hawes and a head knocked cleaned off. I might have the same man crush for him as Dana.

(USA Today Sports)

Prediction: Hawes, KO/TKO, Round 1

Andrei Arlovski vs Tom Aspinall

Want to talk about man crushes? I’ve had a pretty good one for Tom Aspinall since he arrived in the UFC. The heavyweight prospect has shown very clean boxing technique in his two KO wins to start his tenure. He has spent less than 3 minutes in the UFC octagon and is a perfect 2-0. But he has a completely different test in front of him with Arlovski. Arlovski is a veteran of the UFC dating back to UFC 28. UFC 259 is in 2 weeks by the way. He is a former Heavyweight Champion and a certified UFC Hall of Famer who will be stepping into the octagon for the 28th time on Saturday. Arlovski is certainly at the tail end of his career and lately has been inviting prospects into the UFC. He has stumbled against some, like Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai, but is currently on a 2 fight winning streak against Philipe Lins and Tanner Boser. Aspinall is the best prospect Arlovski has faced since Rozenstruik, and I have big expectations for him. As much as I hate to see the vet go down, I think it could happen again.

(@UFC)

Prediction: Aspinall, KO/TKO, Round 1

Prelim Quickies

Drakkar Klose vs Luis Pena

Drakkar Klose was scheduled to fight Jai Herbert this weekend, but Luis Pena might be a more high profile opponent. Klose has shown flashes of being a contender throughout his run. He is 5-2 with wins over Marc Diakiese and Bobby Green. His last fight was against Beniel Dariush where he was on the wrong side of this.

Luis Pena has been a fan favorite since coming off The Ultimate Fighter. “Violent Bob Ross,” yes that’s his real nickname, has been inconsistent since the show. This is his highest profile fight to date. If he can use his reach and distance he could spring the upset.

Prediction: Klose, Unanimous Decision

Shana Dobson vs Casey O’Niell

Shana Dobson is coming off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Literally. She was a +800 betting underdog against Mariya Agapova. She now enters the octagon against undefeated Casey O’Niell. I shouldn’t pick against Dobson because she literally had the upset of the year, but I’m gonna.

Prediction: O’Niell, Unanimous Decision

Hoops and Hooks 2021 Predictions: 9-5 (6-1 Last Week Babyyyyy)