UFC Vegas 45: Daukaus Looks to Upset the Beast as Lewis Returns

By
Gabriel Gonzalez
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Opponents Derrick Lewis and Chris Daukaus face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on December 17, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Chris Daukaus is looking for the biggest win of his career while fan-favorite Derrick Lewis wants to return to the win column at UFC Vegas 45.

To say the party is over for “The Black Beast” would simply be wrong.  While his last appearance in August was a disappointing one-side loss in his hometown of Houston to Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title, it has done little to affect his drawing power.  He remains one of the most popular fighters on the roster, a perennial contender, and even by heavyweight standards carries the formidable threat of knockout power.

But while he remains the all-time leader in knockouts for the UFC heavyweight division, it does not change the fact that he also has a point to prove on Saturday to remain in the hunt for the title.  With victories over Curtis Blaydes, Aleksei Oleinik, and – uneventful or otherwise – Francis Ngannou, Lewis is never far from making the leap back into a championship match.  However, his latest opponent is the one with the most to gain when surveying current landscape and therein lies the risk.

If there was ever a time to make the leap into title contention, it would appear to be now for the surging Chris Daukaus.  The former police officer in the city of Philadelphia has slowly made his way up the ranks since making his promotional debut last year.  He is a perfect 4-0 in the UFC, and in September recorded an impressive finish of top ten ranked Shamil Abdurakhimov.  After building up a respectable 8-3 record on the regional scene prior to coming to the UFC, a win on Saturday for Daukaus would set him up for a high stakes battle in 2022.

Taking a look at the heavyweight title picture, this is arguably the best time as there has been in recent years for Daukaus to break into the conversation.  With a highly anticipated battle to open the new year between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, and the ever looming shadow Jon Jones arriving to the division, a victory on Saturday will likely put the winner in a title eliminator.

The key for Daukaus will be to use speed and footwork to stay ahead of Lewis throughout the 25 minute contest.  Though not known for having considerable knockout power himself, Daukaus has shown the ability to do damage.  Lewis does his best work when luring opponents into the pocket where he does his most damage throwing punches in the chaos.  A Daukaus victory is expected to see him outlast Lewis and stay out of a brawl.  A Lewis victory will see him keep Daukaus from settling into a rhythm and working off his heels.

Should Jon Jones indeed fight the winner of Ngannou and Gane, then the Lewis vs Daukaus winner will likely see another high profile opponent such as Stipe Miocic.  Coming up on almost a year out of action, the former champion would likely need one more fight before getting another championship opportunity and either Lewis or Daukaus would make for the perfect opponent.

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