UFC Fight Night 215: Lewis vs. Spivak Odds, Schedule, Predictions
Derrick Lewis and Serghei Spivac headline a matinee edition of Fight Night from the UFC APEX Facility in Las Vegas.
The ever-entertaining Black Beast will look to get back on track on the heels of a two-fight losing streak. He has been knocked out by Tai Tuivasa and Sergei Pavlovich in each of his last two fights.
Spivac is a much lesser-known commodity in the heavyweight division, but he's coming in hot. He's scored knockouts in his last two fights, putting away Greg Hardy and Augusto Sakai to set up his first main-event opportunity.
In a shallow heavyweight division, it's a big chance to put himself on the map. But Lewis can never be counted out.
Here's a look at the complete card, along with a closer look and predictions of the three biggest bouts.
Fight Cards, Schedule and Odds
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Main Card (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)
- Derrick Lewis (+175; bet $100 to win $175) vs. Serghei Spivac (-205; bet $205 to win $100)
- Ion Cuțelaba (+140) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (-165)
- Waldo Cortes Acosta (-230) vs. Chase Sherman (+195)
- Andre Fialho (-105) vs. Muslim Salikhov (-115)
- Jack Della Maddalena (-660) vs. Danny Roberts (+490)
Prelims (ESPN+, 1 p.m. ET)
- Charles Johnson (-170) vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (+145)
- Jennifer Maia (+160) vs. Maryna Moroz (-190)
- Miles Johns (-170) vs. Vince Morales (+145)
- Kevin Natividad (+135) vs. Ricky Turcios (-155)
- Vanessa Demopoulos (-115) vs. Maria Oliveira (-105)
- Fernie Garcia (+150) vs. Brady Hiestand (-175)
- Tereza Bleda (+140) vs. Natalia Silva (-165)
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Lewis vs. Spivak
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Every Derrick Lewis fight is hard to predict because of his basic but violent fighting style. It doesn't really matter who the opponent is.
Lewis has a way of looking somewhere between apathetic and terrible before uncorking a right hand that could potentially put down an elephant.
Lately, fellow power-punchers have gotten the best of the Black Beast. Tai Tuivasa was fortunate to be able to absorb bombs from Lewis and keep throwing his own long enough to become the last man standing.
Sergei Pavlovich happened to catch Lewis before he was able to strike first.
In this case, Spivak's recent string of early knockouts might be to his detriment. If he thinks engaging in a brawl early with Lewis is a good idea, he's going to be wrong. If he decides to play it safe early, wear out Lewis and start opening up for the knockout in the third round, he will win.
Ultimately, Spivak's adrenaline in his first main event could keep him from applying the smart game plan.
Prediction: Lewis via first-round TKO
Cuțelaba vs. Nzechukwu
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Ion Cuțelaba keeps losing fights and, yet, he keeps finding himself on main cards.
That's because when he loses, he loses spectacularly. He's 2-5-1 in his last eight fights, with all five of the losses coming by way of submission, KO or TKO. He's only been to a decision twice in that time frame.
That plays right into the style of Kennedy Nzechukwu. The man who calls himself the African Savage is no stranger to fast-paced action fights, and he also prefers to live on the razor's edge. The Nigerian has just proved to be a little bit better at it.
Nzechukwu was victorious over Karl Roberson last time out and is 4-3 since joining the UFC roster coming off a knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series.
Neither one of these men is going to be confused for a light heavyweight title contender. This one has a high spot on the card because it profiles as a caution-to-the-wind all-out brawl.
It's going to deliver just that, and the judges aren't going to be a factor.
Prediction: Nzechukwu via second-round TKO
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Sherman vs. Cortes Acosta
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This fight is not significant because of Sherman. He's on his second stint with the UFC and neither have been spectacular.
However, the heavyweight division is one where any prospect with a high ceiling is exciting because it's not every day that a legitimate prospect breaks through to the top level of the weight class.
Waldo Cortes Acosta has that kind of potential, even if he may be in the infancy stages of breaking into it. The 31-year-old will make his second appearance in the Octagon less than a month after beating Jared Vanderaa by decision in his debut.
Sherman is coming in with a win over Vanderaa that snapped a four-fight losing streak.
The Vanilla Gorilla has never seen a firefight he didn't like. He's willing to exchange on the feet and press the action, even if he isn't good at it and it rarely goes his way.
It feels like the UFC knew that's exactly how this one would go when they booked it.
Prediction: Cortes Acosta via third-round TKO
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