The last UFC event of the year, UFC Vegas 45, features a fan favorite taking on an up-and-comer in the heavyweight division. Cageside Press has its picks set.
| Staff Writers | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Doherty (140-76) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Justin Gibbons (138-87) | | |  | |  |  |
| Alex Behunin (123-83) |  | | | | | |
| Eddie Law (74-52) | | | |  | | |
| Gabriel Gonzalez (130-95) | |  | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (120-101) | | | | | | |
| Chris Prawdzik (43-39) | | | | | | |
| Dylan Bowker (109-103) | | | | | | |
The main event of UFC Vegas 45 pits Derrick Lewis against Chris Daukaus in a heavyweight clash. Lewis recently had his four-fight win streak come to an end in a title fight against Ciryl Gane. Daukaus is a perfect 4-0 since joining the promotion, knocking out all four opponents. Cageside Press was split at four picks apiece for the main event.
Belal Muhammad puts his win streak on the line against the always tough veteran Stephen Thompson. Muhammad has won nine of his last 10 fights, falling only to Geoff Neal. Thompson had recent wins over Vicente Luque and Geoff Neal before losing to Gilbert Burns in a title eliminator. All but two writers picked Thompson.
Amanda Lemos faces Angela Hill in an entertaining strawweight scrap. After a two-year layoff following her UFC debut in 2017, Lemos is 4-0 with three stoppages. Hill, who is replacing Nina Nunes on short notice, has lost three of her last four facing some of the toughest competition the division has to offer. All but two writers picked Lemos.
Raphael Assuncao plays gatekeeper as he takes on Ricky Simon. Assuncao has not won in three tries since his great run of 11 wins in 12 fights came to an end. Simon is on a three-fight win streak defeating Brian Kelleher in his last bout. Simon was picked by five of eight writers.
Carlos Diego Ferreira takes on relative Polish newcomer Mateusz Gamrot. Gamrot has bounced back from a debut loss to win two fights with stoppages. Ferreira has lost his last two to talented lightweights Beneil Dariush and Gregor Gillespie. All but one writer picked Gamrot.
Veterans Cub Swanson and Darren Elkins open up the UFC Vegas 45 main card. Swanson was stopped by Giga Chikadze last time out, ending a two-fight win streak. Elkins has stopped his last two opponents to get back on track after a four-fight losing streak. Swanson was picked by five of eight writers.
