Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
DERRICK LEWIS VS SERGEY SPIVAK FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 218? Sunday 5th February, 2023 - 04:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 218? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 218? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 218 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 218? 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 SERGEY SPIVAK LOWDOWN
Derrick Lewis (26-10(1)) is back after falling ill hours before their originally scheduled date at UFC Vegas 65 in November. His last dub was back in December 2021 when he broke the record of the most UFC knockouts in history by sparking out Chris Daukaus (2021). That was his 13th in the UFC and 21st of his career however, that win was sandwiched between three knockout losses. Prior to that, he got schooled and eventually TKO’d by Ciryl Gane (2021) for the interim strap and he is coming off vicious knockouts courtesy of Tai Tuivasa in February and Sergei Pavlovich in July.
It was gutting see Sergey Spivak’s (15-3) first headline slot fall through last minute but fortunately he gets is time in the spotlight. He is in contrasting form, coming off two knockout wins and two of the best performances of his career. He finished Greg Hardy in March and Augusto Sakai in August. Those wins came after Tom Aspinall (2021) obliterated him in the first round but that is his only loss in his last six.
DERRICK LEWIS VS SERGEY SPIVAK PREDICTION
Spivak knows he has to avoid Lewis’ hands at all costs, pick his shots and mix in wrestling to subdue ‘The Black Beast’. Spivak is an exceptional grappler. He boats a 63% takedown accuracy and averages over four takedowns every 15 minutes.
However, that is nothing Lewis has not seen before. He has been training his takedown defence for years and has become very good at it. He will also have a lot of confidence considering he has taken on the best wrestler in the division in Curtis Blaydes and met one of his takedowns will a hellacious uppercut.
If Spivak can get a hold of him, he is incredibly difficult to pin down. He is brutally strong and brilliant at springing back up. He made Marcin Tybura look like a middleweight when he took him down so if Spivak does get him on his back, he has to control one of his legs while offloading his ground-and-pound.
We are not sure how much motivation Lewis has for fights like this these days although that does not matter if he connects with one shot. Spivak has a variety of takedowns and the skill to drag Lewis down, drain the gas tank and even finish him.
So, a Spivak decision or submission is likely but as Lewis is the underdog and considering his track record against fighters like Spivak, he is the obvious play.
Prediction: Lewis via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Lewis via KO/TKO