Derrick Lewis is set to return from a one-year layoff as he takes on undefeated rising contender Tallison Teixeira in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Lewis, who has challenged for the heavyweight title twice before, will look to re-enter the title picture with his victory.
MMA analysts Anthony Smith and Din Thomas are predicting different outcomes for the fight. Smith believes Teixeira is a stud but not supremely tested, and thinks Lewis’s experience will give him an edge in wrestling. Thomas, on the other hand, sees Tallison as a young, talented prospect who may struggle against Lewis’s ability to find the chin of tall opponents.
ESPN betting expert Ian Parker has also weighed in on the fight, predicting that Teixeira will win by knockout at +225 odds. Parker believes Lewis is coming off a recent win and has more than 10 years of UFC experience, but that Teixeira’s exciting prospect status and potential to finish fights early gives him an edge.
On the rest of the card, Parker recommends betting on Stephen Thompson vs Gabriel Bonfim (Bonfim to win inside the distance), Calvin Kattar vs Steve Garcia (Garcia to win -125), and Junior Tafa vs Tuco Tokkos (Tafa to win -175).
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/45695801/expert-picks-best-bets-lewis-vs-teixeira