UFC Predictions: Will Tony Ferguson beat Kevin Lee? 10/7/17
A lightweight championship fight will finally take place in the UFC again when Tony Ferguson faces Kevin Lee in the main event of UFC 216 tonight. Here’s our UFC Predictions for this bout.
ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, Ferguson is favored in this interim lightweight championship fight, as he is given odds of -260 to win. Lee is listed with a money line of +200 to prevail. These two will meet tonight from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. They are the main event of a fight card that is scheduled to begin at 10PM ET on PPV.
TONY FERGUSON
Ferguson (22-3) is the veteran of the two contenders and has been on a roll. He is on a 9-fight win streak that has seen him pick up five submission victories. His last loss came in 2012. A lengthy fighter, his long legs and arms make him a lot to deal with on the ground, especially in the 155-pound division. He has shown improved striking through his win streak and looks to be a complete fighter. He also has had to go five rounds before, defeating former champion Rafael dos Anjos last November.
KEVIN LEE
At just 25, Lee (16-2) is getting a big opportunity tonight. Known for his talk, Lee has managed to quickly work his way up the lightweight rankings. He has won his last five fights, including a first-round submission win over Michael Chiesa in June. Lee is a powerful striker, but he has shown the ability to grapple as well. He has won his last three fights by choke.
UFC PREDICTIONS
I like Ferguson in this one, for a couple reasons. First, Lee almost missed weight. He had to cut 19 pounds in about 24 hours and just made the deadline. That sort of weight cut has to take a lot out of an individual. It will impact his cardio as the fight moves on. Lee also isn’t accustomed to five-round fights while Ferguson has proven he can go the distance. Ferguson also has faced much superior opposition over the years. Lee really hasn’t taken on any big names in the 155-pound division. I like Ferguson to use that experience to slowly out-class Lee and eventually earn the submission finish on a fatigued Lee.
UFC PREDICTIONS: TONY FERGUSON -260
