Blaydes vs Lewis – what you need to know

Blaydes of glory

For the third consecutive event the UFC® is staying in Las Vegas and it is yet another anticipated card. Headlining this event is a clash of the titans as no.2 Curtis Blaydes and no.4 Derrick Lewis in the heavyweight division go head-to-head.

Blaydes comes into this bout with the longest win streak in the heavyweight division having won four consecutive bouts. The ‘Razor’ has won 10 bouts by KO, but his real dominance is in his grappling. He boasts the most takedowns as well as the highest takedown rate in UFC heavyweight history, and by a significant margin. This allows him to control his bouts and exhaust his opponents, as he also boasts the greatest top position time in UFC heavyweight history.

With 19 wins by KO, including 11 KO victories in the UFC, Lewis will hope to use his experience to bring him victory. The 11-year pro has won 12 of his last 15 bouts and comes into this one only one off the record for most KOs in UFC history (11, record is 12) a tally he’ll be looking to match.

Taming the Pit Bull

Another exciting heavyweight bout sees the Russian veteran Arlovski challenged by upcoming scouser Aspinall.

Coming into this bout on rampant form, Tom Aspinall has won five consecutive bouts, including his first two UFC bouts, both of which he finished his opponents within the first two minutes. He was a two-time amateur champion and has finished all nine of his career victories in the first round. Expect him to start the bout quickly with his explosive fighting style.

After turning professional in 1999, Arlovski has had a very successful career, he was UFC Heavyweight Champion in 2005-2006 . During time out of the UFC between 2008-2014 Arlovski became the first fighter to finish Roy Nelson. Despite having been in the UFC for so long “The Pit Bull” remains one of the most dangerous and respected heavyweights in the game.

A dangerous debut

Two athletes that are coming into this bout with confidence and expectation in this flyweight affair.

After defeating Mariya Agapova by strikes in her last bout, Dobson will be looking to build on that momentum. Having previously starred on The Ultimate Fighter, Dobson entered the UFC with lots of excitement surrounding her and holds a 2-3 record in the Octagon so far, both her wins coming by KO.

The Scottish-born Casey O’Neill is making her UFC debut after an impressive 5-0 start since turning professional in 2019. At amateur level she initially lost her first two bouts but bounced back to win five straight, all of which were first round finishes. She comes up against a well-respected opponent and this should make for a very exciting debut.