Point of interest: Odds and opinions

The oddsmakers and public are siding with the American, listing Lewis -210 and Oleinik +175 as of this writing.

Despite liking both fighters, I tend to find myself picking against them more often than not for all of the intangibles that their styles bring to the table. Still, even though each man seems deadset in their ways, both Lewis and Oleinik have made visible efforts in their strength and conditioning as of late, demonstrating more efficient performances overall.

Oleinik came into his last fight against former champ Fabricio Werdum at 227 pounds – a weight he has not seen since a 2012 appearance opposite Jeff Monson in M-1. And though the scale didn’t read much different for Lewis his last time out, the 10-year pro was able to show more consistency to his process and pressure in recent back-to-back wins.

Ultimately, if Lewis can avoid being submitted for the first 7-8 minutes of this contest, I see him eventually breaking down a do-or-die Oleinik.

Though I suspect that something like the scarf hold could work on Lewis should Oleinik end up on top, I believe the Russian’s willingness to play the ground game will be what ironically costs him here. If Lewis doesn’t catch Oleinik coming in with jumping switch-knees in the open or Travis Browne-style elbows along the fence, then “The Black Beast” likely finishes things on the floor in the second after surviving a couple of submission scares early.

Prediction: Lewis inside the distance

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