Chris Daukaus has an opportunity to jump into the top 5 with a big win Saturday night as he faces No. 3 Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 45.
We has three fighters miss weight, including the first heavyweight miss in UFC history, courtesy of Justin Tafa, who came in at 267 pounds, one pound over the heavyweight limit against Harry Hunsucker. Sijara Eubanks and Macy Chiasson also missed weight. All three fights will proceed at a catchweight, with a percentage of their purse going to their opponents.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARD (7PM ET/4PM PT)
CUB SWANSON (27-12-0) VS. DARREN ELKINS (26-9-0)
Andrews: Swanson is in a 2-5-0 slump while Elkins has won his last two fights. Can Swanson keep the fight standing? If he can perhaps he ekes out a decision, but I think Elkin gets it to the ground to get the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Darren Elkins via UD
CARLOS DIEGO FERREIRA (17-4-0) VS. MATEUSZ GAMROT (19-1-0)
Andrews: CDF has lost his last two fights. Gamrot is coming off a submission win over Jeremy Stephens. I think Gamrot is on the rise and gets the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Mateusz Damrot via UD
#12 RAPHAEL ASSUNCAO (27-8-0) VS. RICKY SIMON (18-3-0)
Andrews: Assuncao used to be a contender but has lost three straight. Simon grinds this one out into a decision.
Andrews Prediction: Ricky Simon via UD
#11 AMANDA LEMOS (10-1-1) VS. #12 ANGELA HILL (13-10-0)Â
Andrews: Should be a good scrap. Leaning towards the power of Lemos.
Andrews Prediction: Amanda Lemos via UDÂ
#5 STEPHEN THOMPSON (16-5-1) VS. #10 BELAL MUHAMMAD (19-3-0)
A co-main that will have us on the edge of our seats 🎢
💢 @WonderboyMMA takes on @BullyB170 TOMORROW!
[ #UFCVegas45 | Tomorrow LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/byBdhHvGg4
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2021
Andrews: Gilbert Burns helped open the recent book on Thompson. Muhammad eventually breaks through to get the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Belal Muhammad via UD
MAIN EVENT
#3 DERRICK LEWIS (25-8-0, 1NC) VS. #7 CHRIS DAUKAUS (12-3-0)Â
This one won't go all 5 rounds 👀
👊 @TheBeast_UFC vs @ChrisDaukausMMA closes out 2021 tomorrow night!
[ #UFCVegas45 | Tomorrow LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7LjNjqGD8P
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2021
Andrews: Don’t blink as somebody is going down and it should be Lewis who won’t be able to use his power as Daukaus will use his versatile technical ability to beat him to the punch.
Andrews Prediction: Chris Daukaus via TKO
