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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 20: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 20, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 20: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 20, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The main event for UFC Vegas 45 sees heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis go head-to-head against surging contender Chris Daukaus. Chiefly, this is a massive opportunity for Daukaus, who is looking to make a run up the divisional ladder. He is ranked number 7 and has an opportunity to take Lewis’ spot as ‘The Black Beast’ sits at number 3.
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For Lewis, he’ll be looking to add to his tally of knockouts and become a record holder in the UFC. He is currently tied with Matt Brown for the most KO/TKO wins in UFC history at 12. With a blistering showcase on fight night; he has the opportunity to stand alone as the sole knockout king in the UFC.
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UFC Vegas 45: Derrick Lewis vs Chris Daukaus
‘The Black Beast’ is coming off a disappointing showcase in his hometown for the interim heavyweight title. Lewis was defeated by Ciryl Gane via TKO in the third round and he failed to actualize his second shot at the strap. Prior to his loss, he was on a four-fight win streak and had knocked out 2 of his four opponents.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 08: (R-L) Derrick Lewis punches Aleksei Oleinik of Russia in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Lewis is adept at cutting off the cage at opportune moments and consistently finds a home for his overhand right. Furthermore, as he possesses crushing power all the way to the final moments of the fight, Daukaus will have to be on his toes. Additionally, Lewis uses spinning leg strikes at unpredictable moments that could catch his opponents off guard.
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Chris Daukaus is a knockout artist in his own right as he’s secured 11 of his 12 career wins via KO/TKO. He’s riding a five-fight win streak and won three of those fights in the UFC via TKO. Lewis will be the biggest name on his resume and he’ll want to land a concussive blow on the reigning KO king of the UFC.

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 11: (R-L) Chris Daukaus punches Rodrigo Nascimento of Brazil in their heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on October 11, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Daukaus is dynamic with both his hands and is excellent at pushing his opponent back up against the cage. The 12-3 fighter tends to get into wild exchanges in the pocket towards the end of a round, and this could be costly against someone like Lewis.
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Prediction: Derrick Lewis to claim a third-round KO
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