In a heavyweight fight on the main card, Derrick Lewis and Tai Tuivasa meet Saturday at UFC 271 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Below, we analyze the UFC 271: Lewis vs. Tuivasa odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The early prelims can be viewed on ESPN+ starting at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the prelims on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m., and then the main card on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET.
Lewis, a.k.a. “The Black Beast,” has won five of the past six fights, including three KO/TKO wins in the past four outings and a loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC 265. Last time out he posted a first-round KO/TKO over Chris Daukaus in December to get back on track.
Lewis takes the walk to the octagon with a four-inch reach advantage. While Tuivasa throws a lot more punches per minute, Lewis has registered 52.08% in significant strike-accuracy percentage.
The southpaw Tuivasa also has four KO/TKO results in the past four fights, all victories, including a knockout of Augusto Sakai in Round 2 at UFC 269 in December 2011. Each of his past five fights have finished inside the distance.
UFC 271 Lewis vs. Tuivasa: Odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:56 a.m. ET.
- Fight result (2-way line): Lewis -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Tuivasa +150 (bet $100 to win $150)
- Will the fight go the distance? (Yes +340 | No -600)
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UFC 271 Lewis vs. Tuivasa: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Records: Lewis (26-8-0) | Tuivasa (14-3-0)
Fight result (2-way line or money line)
Lewis (-200) is just a little too expensive at two times your potential return. He is going to have a difficult time with the Aussie Tuivasa, too, as “Bam Bam” has recorded four consecutive KO/TKO wins. Lewis will need to carefully study and measure when to get close so he doesn’t step into a knockout blow himself.
While both of these guys have been knockout artists lately, look for this one to go on for a few rounds as they each feel each other out. Eventually, LEWIS BY KO/TKO OR DQ (-135) is a good play, but it won’t be easy.
Over/Under (O/U)
Taking No (-600): Fight to go the distance is just too expensive, even though Lewis is going to grab the finish, but it won’t be until later in the evening.
Play a two-round block of LEWIS TO WIN IN ROUND 2 (+400) and LEWIS TO WIN IN ROUND 3 (+1500). If he wins in either round, you’ll lose one end of this bet, but you’ll still be well in the black, especially if Lewis gets the finish in Round 3.
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