MMA Preview – Ben Rothwell vs Philipe Lins at UFC Vegas 26
BEN ROTHWELL VS PHILIPE LINS FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 26? Sunday 9th May, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 26? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 26? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 26 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 26? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
BEN ROTHWELL VS PHILIPE LINS LOWDOWN
Ben Rothwell’s (38-13) brief resurgence was snapped by Marcin Tybura in his last fight. Rothwell went on a miserable three-fight skid getting outpointed by Junior dos Santos (2016), Blagoy Ivanov (2019) and Andrei Arlovski (2019) compounded by a ban in between for a failed drugs test. However, he bagged his first win in nearly four years coming back to knock out Stefan Struve and followed it up with a split decision over Ovince Saint Preux. However, Tybura filled that loss column back up with a unanimous decision back in October.
Philipe Lins (14-5) is grateful this fight has been rescheduled after it fell through days before UFC Fight Night 187. He has lost both his UFC fights and he knows the brass will not hesitate to give him the chop so desperately needs this win. He won the Professional Fighters League heavyweight tournament in 2018 with knockouts over Jared Rosholt and Josh Copeland in the final. This earnt him a UFC debut against Andrei Arlovski last year, but he lost a unanimous decision. The matchmakers did not make life easier who then handed him Tanner Boser who knocked him out in the second round.
BEN ROTHWELL VS PHILIPE LINS PREDICTION
Rothwell is the heavier man with two inches in height and reach on Lins but his greatest advantage is his experience. Rothwell is slow, awkward, durable and expect him to utilise his reach jabbing at the end of his range and leverage his weight advantage in the clinch to subdue Lins against the fence.
Lins needs to use his speed advantage to fire off combinations jumping in and out of range. He also has a powerful leg kick which will be a useful strategy in disabling Rothwell’s power. However, Rothwell is like a giant mummy and we expect him to walk Lins down throughout the fight relying on his chin to eat everything Lins throws and ultimately wear the Brazilian down in the clinch and with his jabs to earn a decision.
Prediction: Rothwell via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
