At the beginning there was little doubt that former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos would be a favorite against Derrick Lewis. While Lewis is a former challenger for the title belt, he has never reached the ultimate summit. However, Lewis also believes that he should be the favorite with the UFC betting odds. In fact, Lewis said that dos Santos could prove to be one of the easiest opponents that he has faced in the octagon. Lewis is coming off an unsuccessful title bid against Daniel Cormier. For dos Santos his goal is a shot at Cormier.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos
Date and Time: Saturday, March 9, 2019
Location: Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas
MMA Betting Online Odds: Click Here!
UFC Fight Night TV Coverage: ESPN+
Junior dos Santos
Junior dos Santos is a riding a two-bout winning streak which followed a loss to Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight championship. Miocic scored a first round knockout win with the UFC betting odds that has proven to be quite a setback for dos Santos. But since that time Junior has been working towards another heavyweight championship opportunity.
Junior’s career
Keep in mind that dos Santos was heavyweight champion from November 2011 through December 2012. Since losing the title belt to Cain Velasquez, dos Santos has been fighting an uphill battle. Further harming Junior’s career was a loss to Velasquez in their sportsbook championship rematch. Junior knows that Cormier will be retiring soon and wants a shot at him. That will only be possible with a win over Lewis. With Lewis ranked second in the heavyweight division this is a must win for dos Santos.
Stats to Consider
Now the Junior dos Santos, 35, enters this bout with a record of 20-5. Knockouts have occurred in 14 of his 20 wins. Additionally, he has posted one submission and five decisions. Three of his five losses have been by knockout with one submission and one decision. Also known as “Cigano” and “JDS,” dos Santos is a native of Brazil and still resides there. Following four losses in seven bouts, dos Santos has won two in a row.
Derrick Lewis
Derrick Lewis is 34 years old and is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Now fighting out of Houston, Texas, Lewis is known as “The Black Beast.” Certainly, his second-round submission loss to Daniel Cormier was a major setback. Not only was it a failed heavyweight championship opportunity but it snapped a three-bout winning streak. As a result, Lewis has a career record of 18-6-1. An impressive 18 of his 21 wins have come by knockout. Further he has one submission and two decision wins. Losses were three by knockout, one by submission, and two by decision.
Matchup to Watch
Derrick Lewis is a live and capable dog with the UFC Betting Odds. Consistent with that he is very motivated to atone for his loss to Cormier.
UFC Betting Odds Picks
To conclude Derrick Lewis rates the call to upset Junior dos Santos.
UFC Betting Online Pick: Derrick Lewis
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