Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
DERRICK LEWIS VS MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA FACTS
When is UFC 291? Sunday 30th July, 2023 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 291? Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 291? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 291
What channel is UFC 291 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 291? 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!
DERRICK LEWIS VS MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA LOWDOWN
Derrick Lewis (26-11(1)) has had a tough run going 1-4 in his last five. Ciryl Gane (2021) snapped a four-fight win streak with a striking clinic and third-round TKO. Lewis responded with a vintage burial of Chris Daukaus (2021) to break the UFC record of 13 knockouts. However, he has been humbled by knockouts courtesy of Tai Tuivasa (2022) and Sergei Pavlovich (2022) followed by a submission by Sergey Spivak (2023).
Marcos Rogerio De Lima (21-8-1) is 4-1 in his last five to shock the masses. He broke his consecutive 11-fight win-loss record by TKOing Ben Rothwell (2021) after outpointing Maurice Greene (2021). He then lost a decision to Blagoy Ivanov (2022) but is coming off a submission over Andre Arlovski (2022) and decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta (2023).
DERRICK LEWIS VS MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA PREDICTION
This is a better match-up for Lewis who will be hoping de Lima decides to stand and trade with him. However, the Brazilian has the skills to give him another miserable night.
He is the more technical striker and has the grappling to change the course of the fight. Lewis’s weakness is clearly on the ground and de Lima proved that black belt is real by submitting Andre Arlovski recently.
If he can get Lewis on his back, he will rabidly hunt the submission. However, Lewis has a remarkable ability to stand back up after being taken down and the artillery to blow de Lima out the water as he shoots in, just ask Curtis Blaydes.
Lewis holds all of the value as the underdog as he only needs one touch of leather to close the show. However, we are leaning towards de Lima as we are unsure how motivated Lewis is and one takedown could lead to a submission.
Prediction: De Lima via Submission
Value bet: Lewis via KO/TKO