UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis

Daniel Levi acknowledges Derrick Lewis's knockout power and improved get-up game, but believes Curtis Blaydes will stick to his game plan of relentless takedowns. He notes Blaydes' ability to chain takedowns even when tired, as seen against Volkov. Levi expects Blaydes to grind out a decision or possibly a late ground-and-pound stoppage, calling it a horrendous stylistic matchup for Lewis.

Daniel Levi highlights Ketlen Vieira's black belts in jiu-jitsu and judo, and her ability to trip and control opponents on the ground. He notes Yana Kunitskaya's chin issues, recalling she was dropped by Aspen Ladd and had her face bloodied against Miranda. Levi believes Vieira is the better fighter across the board and expects her to win by decision or submission, though he acknowledges Kunitskaya can score points on the feet.

Daniel Levi respects Darrick Minner's 20 first-round submissions and his ability to finish quickly, but notes Charles Rosa has never been submitted and survived deep submission attempts against Yair Rodriguez and Bryce Mitchell. Levi thinks if Minner doesn't get the finish in the first round, Rosa's work rate and kicks will overwhelm Minner in the later rounds. He is hesitant to lay the -200 chalk on Rosa but sees more paths to victory for him.

Daniel Levi is impressed with Chris Daukaus's hand speed and accuracy, noting his quick knockouts of Parker Porter and Nascimento. He believes Daukaus only needs 20-30 seconds of pocket exchanges to knock out Oleinik, who is a liability standing. Levi acknowledges Oleinik's 45 submission wins but thinks Daukaus has the grappling skills to avoid submissions and keep the fight standing. He expects a first-round knockout and sees Daukaus as a rising heavyweight prospect.

Daniel Levi argues that Phil Hawes's early career was mismanaged, being thrown in with tough opponents too soon, but now he has matured and learned to pace himself. He highlights Hawes's D1 wrestling, one-punch knockout power, and improved defense. Levi believes Hawes will be too physical and explosive for Imavov, who fights with his hands down. He predicts a first-round knockout, noting that Imavov was pushed around by the smaller Jordan Williams.

Daniel Levi dismisses the narrative that Aspinall gasses after the first round, noting his only real loss was a heel hook in 2015 and a DQ due to an illegal elbow. He praises Aspinall's physical traits: 6'5", 265 lbs, 78-inch reach, and straight punches down the pipe. Levi believes Aspinall's sparring with Tyson Fury and training at Team Cowboy have elevated his game. He expects Aspinall to knock out Arlovski in the first round, comparing it to when Jairzinho Rozenstruik knocked out Arlovski.

Daniel Levi acknowledges Danny Chavez's impressive debut and explosive calf kicks, but worries about Chavez's pace and whether he can maintain it. He thinks if Jared Gordon can survive the first round without taking fight-changing damage, his pressure and takedowns can wear down Chavez in the later rounds. Levi notes Gordon's experience against top competition and believes he is being disrespected. He picks Gordon to win a gritty decision, but admits he might be wrong and Chavez could knock him out.

Daniel Levi respects Eddie Wineland's career but notes he fights with his hands down and has been knocked out badly in recent fights. He thinks Castañeda, though not overwhelming, can be slightly more active and durable. Levi believes Wineland might be gun-shy coming off the knockout loss to Sean O'Malley. He picks Castañeda to edge a decision, but acknowledges that a prime Wineland would smoke him.

Daniel Levi praises Nate Landwehr's toughness, iron chin, and ability to survive bad positions, noting his M-1 Global championship run in Russia. He contrasts that with Julian Erosa's durability issues, having been knocked out five times. Levi thinks Landwehr will be more threatened by Erosa's length than he was by Darren Elkins, but still expects Landwehr's durability to be the deciding factor. He sees value in Landwehr at pick'em odds and predicts a win, possibly by decision.

Daniel Levi is skeptical of Casey O'Neill's competition level, calling her opponents 'soccer moms' and noting she was knocked out twice in amateur fights. He believes Shana Dobson, despite her poor record, has faced much better competition and has more experience. Levi thinks Dobson's confidence from her last win could carry her, and he sees O'Neill as overhyped. He picks Dobson for the upset, but admits it wouldn't surprise him if O'Neill wins.

Daniel Levi is low on Aiemann Zahabi, believing he hasn't been the same since a devastating knockout loss to Ricardo Ramos in 2017. He notes Zahabi looked gun-shy against Vince Morales, who he considers low-level. Levi thinks Drako Rodriguez has more fighting spirit and opportunistic finishing ability, though he cautions that Rodriguez is not the second coming of Christ. He picks Rodriguez to win via something opportunistic, but is not confident enough to bet heavily.

Daniel Levi praises Serghei Spivac's tough competition in the UFC, having faced Walt Harris, Tai Tuivasa, Marcin Tybura, and Carlos Felipe. He believes Vanderaa is the first 'softball' of Spivac's UFC run and expects Spivac to handle him decisively. Levi notes Spivac's versatility, whether by head kick, schoolyard headlock, or grinding out a decision. He is confident in Spivac's skills and training at Extreme Couture.