UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Rakic Prediction – Robbie Lawler vs Neil Magny

Welterweight veterans Robbie Lawler and Neil Magny feature in UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Rakic’s co-main event. The battle comes as a surprise as Lawler signed the contract as a short-notice replacement for Geoff Neal, who pulled out because of medical issues. 

Both fighters are at the tail end of the rankings and defeat for either could result in them being a step closer to oblivion. 

Robbie Lawler

Four years back, Lawler ruled the welterweight division in the UFC. However, his career nosedived following his TKO defeat to Tyron Woodley. He has won just one of his last three fights since UFC 201. This came against Donald Cerrone in 2017.

‘Ruthless’ out-landed just one opponent since 2014, but he lost the fight after a questionable stoppage where the referee thought he was choked out. 

Lawler possessed a reputation for his insane KO power and won 20 professional fights in this fashion. However, the last of these came at UFC 189 against Rory MacDonald. 

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He lands 3.57 significant strikes per minute with a 45% accuracy. The former welterweight champion absorbs 4.16 significant strikes per minute and deflects 60% of them. This shows us that he has come up against some serious strikers in his career and has adapted well.  

Neil Magny

Neil Magny has won 13 fights via decision and 7 in the form of knockout. He will be another one of those strikes Lawler has had to deal with in his career. ‘The Haitian Sensation’ lands 3.95 significant strikes per 60 seconds with an accuracy of 47%.

He absorbs a mere 2.17 strikes per minute which should hold him in good stead against the former champion. Both Magny and Lawler are averse to using submissions. The duo has a combined total of four submission victories.

UFC Fight Night Prediction

Lawler took the fight on short notice and returns 12 months after losing to Colby Covington. He may be rusty and low on confidence as he is on a three-fight losing streak. However, he will have nothing to lose and could try to arrest the slide. 

‘Ruthless’ has a massive 6-inch reach disadvantage which could prove the difference here. Magny has fought twice this year. Most importantly, he has experienced the dynamics of fighting behind closed doors and in a small octagon at the UFC Apex. 

The battle will be a brutal slugfest. If the fight hits the ground, ‘The Haitian Sensation’ will most likely be in control. He averages 2.55 takedowns (1.84 more than Lawler) over three rounds but has been successful in forcing his opponent down just three times in his last 7 fights. 

Read: UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Rakic Prediction- Anthony Smith vs Aleksandar Rakic

Magny is younger, faster, holds the better stats, and was preparing for the bout way longer than the 38-year-old. He is active and looking good to secure his third win of 2020.

Prediction: Neil Magny to win via unanimous decision