Nascimento vs Lewis Betting Preview: Count on Derrick Lewis to Stay Off His Back

May 8, 2024

2 weeks

Derrick Lewis isn’t going to add more tricks to his bag at age 39. Lewis, a former heavyweight title challenger, still produces exciting fights. But anyone with a grappling threat is in a good position to put Lewis on his back and keep him there.

Brazilian Rodrigo Nascimento would prefer to put Lewis on the canvas for a grappling exchange. Nascimento has leaned heavily on his grappling skills to carry the early part of his MMA career. Nascimento finished six of his 11 career by submission and will likely look to grapple Lewis.

But anyone employing that strategy has to make sure they time everything perfectly. Lewis has knocked out several fighters who thought they were in a good position to take a shot at his legs. While recognizing Lewis’ outstanding knockout power, it is impossible to look at MMAfighting latest news and not take his age into consideration.

While at heavyweight, age doesn’t seem to be as much of a factor in fights because power tends to hang around longer than speed does, Lewis has been in a poor run of form. In Lewis’ last fight, he was taken down repeatedly by Jailton Almeida during a snoozer of a five-round main event loss.

This is a major step up in competition for Nascimento, who is on a three-fight winning streak. There is a chance that Nascimento could take Lewis where he doesn’t want to go. But Lewis has much more experience in the octagon. There will be a day when Lewis won’t be able to be the man who the UFC calls to provide an exciting main event. It won’t be this Saturday in St. Louis.

Bets to consider: Lewis moneyline, Under 1.5 rounds, Lewis KO

Buckley Wants the Star Treatment

Joaquin Buckley was worried he would be forever known as the man with one spectacular knockout of Impa Kasanganay in October 2020. Buckley put all of the concerns about him being a one-fighter wonder to bed back in March when he knocked out respected veteran Vicente Luque in the second round.

Buckley will be glad to have his follow-up to that fight in his hometown against Nursulton Ruziboev. Ruziboev has already shown a strong penchant for finishing fights during his brief time in the UFC. He most recently beat Sedriques Dumas by first-round TKO in Atlantic City in March.

Ruziboev has finished 32 of his 34 professional wins. But only two of Ruziboev’s victories have come in the UFC. This is a big step up in competition for him, according to MMA breaking news.

Bets to consider: Fight to end inside the distance, Buckley -166

Ulberg Wants to Keep Stacking Victories

Carlos Ulberg has finished four fights in a row. Now, the New Zealand native will get an opportunity to test himself against another powerful fighter. Alonzo Menifield is on a five-fight unbeaten streak since he lost to William Knight by decision in December 2021.

The fight between Ulberg and Menifield was moved back from March. Both men are capable of producing spectacular finishes. It is preferable to stay away from a side and bet the total.

Bets to consider: Under 1.5 rounds

Wrong Fighter Favored in Tecia Pennington Fight

One of the major tests in MMA comes when a fighter goes up in competition. Tabatha Ricci is about to get a stern test when she fights Tecia (Torres) Pennington. Pennington is a durable veteran striker who excels with her excellent striking. During Pennington’s career, she has fought some of the top women’s fighters.

Torres lost by decision to Jessica Andrade, Zhang Weili, and Joanna Jedrecyzk, who are all former or current champions. She’s also fought against tough contenders Angela Hill, Marina Rodriguez, and Mackenzie Dern.

Ricci recently saw her four-fight winning streak come to an end with a loss to Loopy Godinez in November. Ricci hasn’t fought the best competition since debuting in the UFC with a knockout loss to future title challenger Manon Fiorot.

Ricci is a solid fighter, but Pennington has better striking. Pennington’s experience will carry her in this bout.

Bets to consider: Pennington +130, Fight to go the distance, Pennington by decision

Strikers Ready to Go Back-and-Forth

Alex Caceres and Sean Woodson both prefer to stay on their feet and strike. Caceres will have a real challenge trying to keep up with Woodson. It’s hard to strike against someone with a significant reach advantage.

Caceres, who is 5-foot-9, will have to overcome being at a 4.5-inch disadvantage in the reach department with Woodson. Woodson has been excellent in the UFC so far. Other than a submission loss to Julian Erosa, Woodson has won all of his other fights in the organization. Woodson prefers to strike from a distance, according to online boxing news. Seven of his 12 career fights have gone the distance, and Woodson has been on the right side of all those decisions.

This one likely will too.

Bets to consider: Woodson by decision, Woodson ML

McKinney Seeks Another Highlight Reel Performance

Terrance McKinney isn’t known for working overtime. The latest MMA updates show that McKinney prefers to wrap up his fights in spectacular fashion. After hitting a rough patch in his career where he lost three of four fights, McKinney has put together consecutive first-round finishes.

Esteban Ribovics may be willing to engage in a firefight. He is 12-1 in his career and has finished 11 of his 12 victories. This fight should end in a flash.

Bets to consider: Ribovics first-round KO, Fight to end in first round

There is plenty of action on this card. Here’s a look at some fights not listed above: