A heavyweight clash will bring the curtain down on the UFC’s 2021 calendar this evening, as Derrick Lewis goes up against Chris Daukaus.
Lewis (25-8, 1 no contest) last fought in August, suffering a second-round stoppage loss to Ciryl Gane, who won the interim heavyweight title with that victory – setting up an encounter with reigning champion Francis Ngannou in January.
Texan Lewis, 36, carries formidable knockout power and is never far from a shot at the gold, but he will have to overcome compatriot Daukaus here to put himself back in the title conversation.
Daukaus (12-3) is on a five-fight win streak, the police officer having knocked out Shamil Abdyrakhimov in his most recent bout, in September. In fact, all five of the 32-year-old’s victories in his current run have come via KO/TKO.
Here’s all you need to know as third-ranked Lewis faces seventh-ranked Daukaus, while fan favourite Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson takes on Belal Muhammad in a welterweight co-main event.
When is it?
The event will take place at the UFC’s Apex facility in Las Vegas on Saturday 18 December.
What time does it start?
The prelims begin around 10pm GMT, with the main card getting under way at around midnight.
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the event will air live on BT Sport, with the broadcaster also streaming it on its website and app. In the US, ESPN+ will air the Fight Night.
Odds
Lewis: 11/10
Daukaus: 8/11
Full card
Main card
Derrick Lewis vs Chris Daukaus (heavyweight)
Stephen Thompson vs Belal Muhammad (welterweight)
Amanda Lemos vs Angela Hill (women’s strawweight)
Raphael Assuncao vs Ricky Simon (bantamweight)
Diego Ferreira vs Mateusz Gamrot (lightweight)
Cub Swanson vs Darren Elkins (featherweight)
Prelims
Dustin Stoltzfus vs Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight)
Raoni Barcelos vs Victor Henry (bantamweight)
Justin Tafa vs Harry Hunsucker (heavyweight)
Sijara Eubanks vs Melissa Gatto (women’s flyweight)
Charles Jourdain vs Andre Ewell (featherweight)
Raquel Pennington vs Macy Chiasson (women’s featherweight)
Don’Tale Mayes vs Josh Parisian (heavyweight)
Jordan Leavitt vs Matt Sayles (lightweight)
