Fight Predictions: UFC on ESPN+ 43: Blaydes vs. Lewis
In a few hours UFC on ESPN+ 43 (#UFCVegas19) will go down, it's a bit of a heavyweight showcase. Starting and ending with the big guys and a couple in between.
The card is also filled with up-and-comers, with the opportunity to get some shine.
Aiemann Zahabi (@aiemannzahabi) has all the talent, but things haven't gone his way of late. So this could be his chance to restart and let everyone know who he is. Unfortunately, Drako Rodriguez's (@drakorodriguez) UFC debut is a bit marred with the missing weight. He looked really good on 'Dana White's Contender Series' (#DWCS) though and if he brings that form, it would help turn things around.
Drakkar Klose (@drakkar_klose) & Luis Peña (@violentbobross) both coming off losses, so who can turn things around. Klose has that dynamite power, but Pena has the reach and if he can get it to the ground, there could be problems!
On 'Believe You, Me' Tom Aspinall (@tomaspinall93) let us know that the real motivation to start MMA was from seeing Andrei Arlovski (@andreiarlovski) at the weigh-ins for 'UFC 70'. Tonight though, pedestals are gone and we'll see if the new breed can take out the willey vet!
Phil Hawes (@philliphawes) & Nassourdine Imavov (@lmavov_nassourdine) are both 9-2, both just one fight in the UFC and both haven't lost since 2017! This fight is close, the one difference may be Hawes' wrestling, but it should be a fun one!
The other young up-and-coming heavyweight on the card, Chris Daukaus (@chris_daukaus), also utilises speed and sharp hands. However, in front of him isn't a rabid canine, no, he's got a boa constrictor! Alexey Oleinik (@alexeyoleynik1) has caught so many top prospects with his chokes. Will Daukaus be the next in line!?!
In the Co-main is Ketlen Vieira (@ketlenvieiraufc), 11-1, really wants to make a play for the Bantamweight title. However Yana Kunitskaya (@yanamma) she's been putting it together and feels this is her time to shine.
AND, in the Main, Curtis Blaydes (@razorblaydes265) a phenomenal wrestler, who has shown good hands. Well, he wants it all and doesn't think Derrick Lewis (@thebeastufc) has anything that can change that. Lewis though, he's made changes, he's lost weight, added new training. We've seen him got up time and time again. So, can Blaydes hold the beast down, and can Lewis unleash the firepower that has laid waste to so many others!!!
For the full event preview, you can listen to the podcast (ep 150) Otherwise, here are your @ChinCheckPod #fightpredictions
Main Card
Main event - Heavyweight
Curtis Blaydes (W) vs Derrick Lewis
Co-Main event - Women's Bantamweight
Ketlen Vieira (W) vs Yana Kunitskaya
Featherweight
Charles Rosa vs Darrick Minner (W)
Heavyweight
Aleksei Oleinik vs Chris Daukaus (W)
Middleweight
Phil Hawes (W) vs Nassourdine Imavov
Heavyweight
Andrei Arlovski vs Tom Aspinall (W)
Preliminary card
Featherweight
Jared Gordon (W) vs Danny Chavez
Lightweight
Drakkar Klose (W) vs Luis Peña
Bantamweight
Eddie Wineland (W) vs John Castañeda
Featherweight
Nate Landwehr vs Julian Erosa (W)
Women's Flyweight
Shana Dobson (W) vs Casey O'Neill
Featherweight
Chas Skelly vs Jamall Emmers (W)
Bantamweight
Aiemann Zahabi (W) vs Drako Rodriguez
Heavyweight
Sergey Spivak (W) vs Jared Vanderaa