UFC Vegas 19: Blaydes vs Lewis Predictions

Source: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

This card will go down in the history books for all the wrong reasons. A record breaking amount of fighters decided that making weight was optional this time around and a lot a purses have shrunken as a result. It's a shame really, this card is lowkey pretty nice so it's a bummer that it's been under such duress for such preventable reasons. Regardless, the fights will happen and there must been a winner and a loser, so here we go, UFC Vegas 19.

Curtis Blaydes vs Derrick Lewis

I think we can all agree on how much we love Derrick Lewis, the dude is simply one of the brightest personalities in the sport, however, this is a horrid matchup for him. Blaydes is an elite wrestler, and given Lewis' poor cardio, I can't imagine this one goes the distance. I wish there were more to say, but this could get ugly if Lewis doesn't land a big shot early, which could very well happen.

Prediction: Curtis Blaydes, 3RD RD SUB

Yana Kunitskaya vs Ketlen Vieira

This was one of the many fights on this card where one fighter couldn't make the weight, and it sucks because Vieira has so much potential you hate to see her have any sort of question mark beside her name. Weight aside though, this is really the Brazilians fight to lose in my opinion. I think she has the edge standing, and she definitely has the edge on the ground, I just don't see a path where Kunitskaya can get much momentum going.

Prediction: Ketlen Vieira, Decision

Derrick Minner vs Charles Rosa

Oof what an ugly matchup. Minner goes big without much payoff and Rosa is awkward as fook, I really don't know whose style will give who trouble. Meh, let's swing for the fences.

Derrick Minner, 1ST RD SUB

Chris Daukaus vs Aleksei Oleinik

It's crazy to think that Oleinik has been fighting almost as long as Daukaus has been alive! 1996 and the summer of love baby. I think a lot of people assume Oleinik is going to march forward and take Chris down, and that could very well happen, however the big man is there to be hit and I believe Daukaus has the hands to chop the vet down. This fight could very well be a wash in Oleinik's favour, but I believe in the youth here.

Prediction: Kyle Daukaus, 1ST RD TKO

Phil Hawes vs Nassourdine Imavov

This is a banger of a fight! Both guys are up-and-comers, both guys carry identical records and both guys are coming in with a ton of momentum. I think the biggest key to this fight is whether or not Hawes can last. He's explosive and powerful, but Imavov has the tendency to drag a fight out and make it dirty. So I really think this fight comes down to Hawes' ability to stay out of the muddy areas.

Either way, we'll learn a lot about both fighter from this bout.

Prediction: Phil Hawes, 1ST RD TKO

Andre Arlovski vs Tom Asphinall

This could very well be the last time we ever see Arlovski fight. He said himself he doesn't want to be a punching bag (and really he's been anything but) so this is a massive gutcheck bout for the soon-to-be Hall of Famer. But what lies in front of him tonight is a young, talented and hungry prospect in Tom Asphinal. Asphinall has made light work of his UFC foes since joining the promotion, and I think his hand speed and confidence will carry him here.

It's young vs old, and Asphinall looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.

Prediction: Tom Asphinall, 2ND RD TKO

2021 Predictions Record: 24-16