UFC ESPN 70 - Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira | Who is Favorite?

Let's look at how these fighters performed in the past and their statistics to choose a favorite for this match.

1. Record: Lewis (28-12) vs. Teixeira (8-0)
2. Age: 40 vs. 25
3. Height: 6'3" (191 cm) vs. 6'8" (203 cm)
4. Reach: 79" (201 cm) vs. 83" (211 cm)
5. Stance: Orthodox vs. Orthodox

Derrick Lewis

He is the perfect example of the "puncher's chance." Lewis has knocked out more opponents than anyone in UFC history. He has a long and successful career because he is very good at making his opponents unconscious with one hit.

He is always in the top 15, and he is the division's most dangerous gatekeeper. In MMA, a gatekeeper is a very experienced fighter who fighters must beat to prove they belong in the title conversation. If they beat Lewis, it's a big win. If they lose, it's a big setback.

Lewis's most powerful move is his ability to end a fight, especially with his right hand. He can seem passive and tired, which makes his opponents feel safe. Then, he hits them with a very strong combination of moves. Also, he's surprisingly good at getting into the right mindset. His opponents often use a lot of energy trying to keep him down, but the 260-pound Lewis gets back up, which creates an opportunity to hit his opponent hard.

Fighters who hit a lot and are very fit, and who also have better stamina, have found success by staying on the outside and getting more points than him. At 40 years old, it's hard to tell how long he can keep going in fights that go past the second round.

Tallison "Xicão" Teixeira

Tallison Teixeira is an example of the new type of heavyweight athlete: he's big, he's strong, and he's very efficient. The 25-year-old Brazilian is 6'8" and is a very big and strong athlete. He hasn't lost a single match, and he's won every one by beating his opponent in the first round.

Teixeira earned his UFC contract with a very impressive performance on Dana White's Contender Series and made an immediate statement in his official debut, needing just 35 seconds to defeat his opponent. His style is built on overwhelming aggression from the start. He uses his huge 83-inch (211 cm) reach to keep his distance before hitting his opponent with strong, straight punches and combinations.

Teixeira's best asset is how explosive his athleticism is, along with his size. He is not just big; he is fast for a man his size. This lets him control the speed of the game and put pressure on his opponents before they have a chance to develop their own strategy.

He has become very successful very quickly, which also makes people ask a lot of questions about him. How will his cardiovascular endurance hold up if his opponent survives the initial attack and drags him into long fight? His opponent, Lewis, is not the type of opponent who will simply give up when faced with early pressure; he is an opponent who responds with force that can change the fight.

Derrick Lewis vs Tallison Teixeira - Who is Likely To Win?

This fight is a big jump up in competition for the Brazilian.

In terms of style, this is a clash of different ideas. Teixeira will win by doing what he always does: fighting aggressively, using his reach to keep Lewis at the end of his punches, and looking for an early knockout. He can't afford to wait or let Lewis get comfortable with the fight.

On the other hand, Lewis’s path depends on his experience and durability. He must survive Teixeira's inevitable first-round blitz. Lewis needs to make the fight ugly by using the clinch to tire out the larger man. Lewis's goal is to drag Teixeira into the second or third round, where any potential cardio deficiencies will be exploited. This is unknown turf for the prospect. From there, Lewis only needs one clean shot to end the fight.

The oddsmakers and many analysts likely favor Tallyson Teixeira. His undefeated record, physical advantages, and sheer ferocity in finishing fights make him a strong choice. He looks like a future contender in every way. The narrative of the young lion overthrowing the old king is powerful in combative sports. Nevertheless, the leap in competition for Teixeira is significant, as he is moving up from his previous opponents to face Lewis, a former title challenger. Teixeira has faced powerful strikers before, but never someone with Lewis's kind of power.

Derrick Lewis is the pick to win this fight.

Teixeira has built his entire career on a flawless offense that has never been tested by a durable opponent. Lewis, on the other hand, has weathered storms from some of the most dangerous men in the world. Teixeira may look like the better fighter for the first three minutes, but the fight is scheduled for five rounds. The longer the fight goes on, the more it tilts in favor of "The Black Beast." Expect Teixeira to start strong, but also expect Lewis to endure the pressure and find the opening he needs to deliver the knockout. This is the kind of fight where experience and proven power triumph over unproven potential.