The UFC is back in their regular Apex spot this weekend, when fan favourite Derrick Lewis faces off against hard hitting Moldovan fighter Sergey Spivak.
Heading in to the match up Derrick is on a two fight losing streak. Although his last lost does have some controversy regarding the stoppage. Derrick does always pose the threat of unholy knockout power however. 21 KO’s in 26 wins is quite remarkable when you think about it.
Sergey, although not as a known name like Derrick does bring the finish factor to his fight this weekend. In 15 wins he has 13 finishes. 7 via knockout and six via submission. I think the odds makers will predict a finish for this main event, with good reason!
Working down from the main event, the main card sees fights between Ion Cutelaba and Kennedy Nzechukwu as the co-main. A pair of hard hitters who rarely see the judges scorecards. Heavyweights Chase Sherman and Waldo Cortes-Acosta scrap off just before the co-main. Fitting the violence and finishers on the card, these heavyweights have only seen the judge between them once in a collective 23 wins. Starting off the card are two sets of welterweight bouts with Andre Fialho taking on Muslim Salikhov and Jack Della Maddalena fights Englishman Danny Roberts.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivak Predictions
Heavyweight: Lewis vs Spivak
For a long time in his career Derrick Lewis has his back against the wall. He’s never lost three fights in a row before. He’s also reaching his 38th birthday soon. But there is something we can always rely on for Derrick Lewis and that is him bringing the heat! You can pretty much bet the house either him or his opponent will be staring up at the UFC lights before the judges get any input.
Sergey Spivak, also a finisher in his own right is entering the cage full of confidence. 5-1 in his last 6. His only loss in that coming from top prospect Tom Aspinall. But has Sergey ever fought someone with the credentials Lewis brings to the cage Saturday night?
My prediction for this fight is we see a savage KO early on. I don’t see much of a feeling out process. Sergey may look to engage in clinch or takedown to mix it up and may Derrick think about the takedown threat. However, I think Derrick fights this off and finishes Spivak after landing a heavy shot or two.
Staff picking Lewis: Jed Leon, Ella Earle, Jack Calder, Lewis Glover, Lewis Hart, Chris Thomas
Staff picking Spivak: Lewis Simpson
Light Heavyweight: Ion Cutelaba vs Kennedy Nzechukwu
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivak is a violent card. This fight backs that. Cutelaba is probably one of the most aggressive fighters I’ve seen in the UFC cage. Well, even at weigh in’s he’s ready and SCARY. 14 finishes in 16 wins, isn’t too bad either is it? Just 1 win and draw in his last 5 fights isn’t what the Moldovan will happy with though. He’ll look more than ever for a finish in this fight. Or we may not see him under the UFC banner much longer.
Kennedy is a big, long light heavyweight. He’s precise and methodical. Unlike his counterpart above. He boasts a 70% finish rate in his fights. All via TKO or KO. Can he deal with the aggressive forward pressure Cutelaba brings?
I think he can! The first round of this fight will be hard to gauge. I’m not sure who we’ll see take it. But if he survives it, I see Nzechukwu taking over in rounds 2 and 3. If he can eventually crack Ion’s chin, use body and legs kicks, keeping distance, he’ll get the win. 3rd round TKO for Kennedy.
Staff picking Cutelaba: Lewis Hart
Staff picking Nzechukwu: Jed Leon, Chris Thomas, Ella Earle, Jack Calder, Lewis Glover, Lewis Simpson
Heavyweight: Chase Sherman vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
The pre main event heavyweight clash. A fun one too! Chase Sherman showed a much improved skillset upon his return to the UFC cage last July. And again fitting with this violent card, has 15 finishes in 16 wins. A heavyweight fighter through and through! Before his summer win though, he was on a 4 fight losing skid. This fight he’ll look to grab back to back wins since 2019.
“Salsa Boy” Acosta fought just a few weeks ago in October. He earned a decision win over Jared Vanderaa (who Chase beat in July). Waldo, apart from wanting to obviously stay active, also walks into the ring with an undefeated record. Although much less experience in terms of total fights than Chase. Will this make a difference for this heavyweight fight?
I DON’T think so. Experience can be a massive factor. Especially in high level fights at lower classes. But at Heavyweight, truly, anyone can knock anyone out on any given day. I think from what I have seen Acosta just brings that power a little more. Sherman’s boxing looked great last time out but I don’t think it will be enough to hand Acosta his first L. Waldo round 2 KO.
Staff picking Sherman: Chris Thomas
Staff picking Cortes-Acosta: Jed Leon, Lewis Simpson, Lewis Hart, Lewis Glover, Jack Calder, Ella Earle
Welterweight: Andre Fialho vs Muslim Salikhov
If you’re still reading this, you’re probably already thinking I’m going on how violent this card is. But it is. All three fights above just have so much potential for finishes. This scrap is no different. Both barely seeing the judges their whole fight careers. Both have insane standup skills. Both coming off knockout losses. You think we’ll see another knockout? You bet!
A coin flip pick this one! My resulting decision is based off age. Andre is just 28 and Muslim is 38. Being the hungrier, younger fighter is why I am picking Andre Fialho. I cannot see it reaching the judges but I cannot see Muslim going down easy or early. Andre round 3 TKO.
Staff picking Fialho: Jed Leon, Ella Earle, Jack Calder, Lewis Glover
Staff picking Salikhov: Chris Thomas, Lewis Hart, Lewis Simpson
Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena vs Danny Roberts
Probably my favourite fight on paper for the night. Coming from this ‘violent’ card, that is statement I must say. Danny Roberts is an Englishman and I should be wanting him to win by all costs. But if you have watched Jack Della Maddalena, you’ll know where I am coming from. Some of the nicest, cleanest boxing I’ve seen in a long time. Danny though, not to shabby himself! Bought some lovely KO’s to the octagon and he’s put the UK on the map inside the UFC since 2015. A veteran of the game now. Can he beat surging Aussie Maddalena though?
UK fans don’t hate me, but I don’t think he can tonight! Either I am easily lead on the Jack hype train or maybe Jack is actually the real deal? I do however believe in the toughness of Danny Roberts. I think this will be the only fight on the main card to see the judges. Decision win for Maddalena.
Staff picking Maddalena: Jed Leon, Lewis Simpson, Lewis Hart, Lewis Glover, Ella Earle
Staff picking Roberts: Jack Calder, Chris Thomas
Wow. UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivak certainly looks set to be a banger! A must watch if you ask me!
What you think go out UFC Fight Night picks? Who’s getting the most points this week?
Faetured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
