UFC on ESPN+ 32: Derrick Lewis vs. Aleksei Oleinik Betting Preview, Odds, Prediction

UFC on ESPN+ 32 will feature the bout between Derrick Lewis and Aleksei Oleinik, which is also the main event of this spectacle. The two veterans of this sport are about to clash in a match that would give them a chance to stay a bit longer in the top echelon of the UFC heavyweight division, and maybe even provide them one more big match. Right now, Lewis is No.4 in the division and Oleinik No.10.

Preview 

Lewis (-225) is one of the guys who were so close to winning the belt. Back in November 2018, the Black Beast lost to Daniel Cormier in the title-fight, after DC got a hold of him with a rear-naked submission. 

That loss left a massive trace on his mindset, and after that, Lewis lost against Junior dos Santos via TKO in March 2019. 

The 35-year old would bounce back afterward, beating Blagoy Ivanov and Ilir Latifi, both after decisions. Against Ivanov, that was a split verdict, and we need to say that his performances were far below the expected. 

This guy holds triumphs over Francis Ngannou (in one of the arguably worst heavyweight fights of all times) and Alexander Volkov, yet he never justified all the praises which came to his account. Many fans tend to say that Lewis might be overrated and that his results so far aren’t really impressive. On the other side, 23 wins and seven losses might prove differently.

Oleinik (+175) is a legend but in decline. He has 73 MMA matches and is the only fighters who participated and won in contests throughout four different decades. 

The Russian is arguably the best wrestler in the heavyweight division of all-times, as his 46 wins came after a submission. It is a pity that he never perfected other areas of the fight, otherwise he would be a champion, 

Unlike Lewis, he never had a chance to fight for the title but holds a much wealthier record than the American. After being wiped out with two first-round knockouts against Alistair Overeem and Walth Harris, “Boa Constrictor” defeated Maurice Greene and Fabricio Werdum, the first via submission and the second after a split decision.

With 43-years of age, he is the oldest heavyweight in the UFC.

Prediction

Lewis’ only advantage here is his age. We don’t see him as a better or more versatile fighter, but as a guy who is eight years younger than Oleinik, therefore, has better stamina. We’ve seen him in the past, not getting along very well, against big guys who had the power and defended takedowns properly. 

At some point in the fight, this will emerge to the surface, especially if it isn’t over in the first two rounds. Even though Lewis is not some shiny defender, Oleinik will have a problem to take the Black Beast to the canvas. The American might be slower, but very tough to bring down because of his size. 

The odds are on Lewis’ side, and we are going with his win here, although our sympathies go with Oleinik. The moneyline is at -225, and that is our final recommendation here.