UFC Fight Night 152 Preview: Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Kevin Lee
Rafael Dos Anjos battles Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night on Saturday. Below, we analyize the four top fights. You can keep up with the action Saturday night on ESPN+.
Undefeated Felicia Spencer battles a top UFC featherweight fighter in Megan Anderson on Saturday. This is Spencer’s UFC debut. Although stats are light for Spencer, there are some things we can assume. Based on how she’s won her fights, she doesn’t appear nearly as aggressive as Anderson.
Seventeen percent of Spencer’s wins have come via KO or TKO. Meanwhile, 56 percent of Anderson’s wins have come via KO or TKO. Anderson should keep Spencer away from her. She’s got a nice long reach and has 4 inches on Spencer in height. Anderson wins this.
Luque was supposed to fight Neil Magny on Saturday night. Unfortunately, Magny had to withdraw from the bout. That left Dana White and UFC scrambling. White was quoted as saying he signed Krantz because of Krantz’s attitude.
Luque-Magny was supposed to be this Saturday’s co-main event. With Magny withdrawing, Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Ian Heinisch becomes the co-main event. It would be a shock if Krantz won. Luque figures to knock out Krantz in Round 1 or Round 2.
This is one of those classic UFC battles where the fighter that instills his style should win. Carlos Junior is a ground-game specialist. Eighty-two percent of his wins have come via submission. Heinisch prefers to fight off the mat. He lands 3.67 significant strikes per minute compared to Carlos Junior’s 1.12 strikes per minute.
Although both have similar records, Antonio Carlos Junior gets the edge. He’s ranked at UFC, while Heinisch isn’t. Not only that, but Junior’s grappling skills should win out.
This should be the fight of the night. Dos Anjos and Kevin Lee have similar styles. Lee has won 47 percent of his fights via submission. Dos Anjos has won 32 percent of his fights via submission. Both have won less than 20 percent of their fights via KO/TKO.
Although Dos Anjos is the natural MMA welterweight, Lee might have the advantage. He’s slightly taller and has 7 more inches in reach. If Lee uses his reach, he should control the fight. Kevin Lee is the brawler to back in the UFC Fight Night Main Event on May 18.
UFC Fight Night Free Pick: Kevin Lee
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Women’s Featherweight
Megan Anderson (9-3-0) vs. Felicia Spencer (6-0-0)Undefeated Felicia Spencer battles a top UFC featherweight fighter in Megan Anderson on Saturday. This is Spencer’s UFC debut. Although stats are light for Spencer, there are some things we can assume. Based on how she’s won her fights, she doesn’t appear nearly as aggressive as Anderson.
Seventeen percent of Spencer’s wins have come via KO or TKO. Meanwhile, 56 percent of Anderson’s wins have come via KO or TKO. Anderson should keep Spencer away from her. She’s got a nice long reach and has 4 inches on Spencer in height. Anderson wins this.
UFC Fight Night Free Pick: Megan Anderson
Welterweight
Derrick Krantz (24-10-0) vs. Vicente Luque (15-6-1)Luque was supposed to fight Neil Magny on Saturday night. Unfortunately, Magny had to withdraw from the bout. That left Dana White and UFC scrambling. White was quoted as saying he signed Krantz because of Krantz’s attitude.
Luque-Magny was supposed to be this Saturday’s co-main event. With Magny withdrawing, Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Ian Heinisch becomes the co-main event. It would be a shock if Krantz won. Luque figures to knock out Krantz in Round 1 or Round 2.
UFC Fight Night Free Pick: Vicente Luque
Middleweights
Antonio Carlos Junior (11-2-0) vs. Ian Heinisch (12-1-0)This is one of those classic UFC battles where the fighter that instills his style should win. Carlos Junior is a ground-game specialist. Eighty-two percent of his wins have come via submission. Heinisch prefers to fight off the mat. He lands 3.67 significant strikes per minute compared to Carlos Junior’s 1.12 strikes per minute.
Although both have similar records, Antonio Carlos Junior gets the edge. He’s ranked at UFC, while Heinisch isn’t. Not only that, but Junior’s grappling skills should win out.
UFC Fight Night Free Pick: Antonio Carlos Junior
Main Event: Welterweights
Rafael Dos Anjos (28-11-0) vs. Kevin Lee (17-4-0)This should be the fight of the night. Dos Anjos and Kevin Lee have similar styles. Lee has won 47 percent of his fights via submission. Dos Anjos has won 32 percent of his fights via submission. Both have won less than 20 percent of their fights via KO/TKO.
Although Dos Anjos is the natural MMA welterweight, Lee might have the advantage. He’s slightly taller and has 7 more inches in reach. If Lee uses his reach, he should control the fight. Kevin Lee is the brawler to back in the UFC Fight Night Main Event on May 18.
UFC Fight Night Free Pick: Kevin Lee
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+. NJ only. Odds may vary. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details
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