UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee – Fight Night Picks

UFC 216: Ferguson vs. Lee – Fight Night Picks article feature image

<

div class="kg-card-markdown">The UFC comes home to Las Vegas on an emotional week for the city following the mass shootings just a few hundred yards from Saturday night's venue, the T-Mobile Arena.

It was decided that the event would go ahead as planned, with UFC president Dana White announcing the organization was donating $1 million to the families of those affected by the shootings at the Mandalay Bay Resort last weekend.

And the UFC is putting on a blockbuster event, with a stacked card full of entertaining matchups, including two world title fights at the top of the bill.

Ferguson and Lee go for gold

kevinlee--1-
[Photo credit: © Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports]

The main event will see Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee go head to head for the interim UFC lightweight title. Ferguson is riding a nine-fight win streak, while Lee has won five in a row. Both men are superbly skilled, with the bookies leaning toward Ferguson, whose resume features higher-caliber opposition.

But Lee has burst into contention off the back of some very impressive performances, and "The Motown Phenom" says he's ready to halt Ferguson's winning run and position himself to challenge undisputed champ Conor McGregor in 2018.

You can check out my full prediction for this fight via my Sports Action main event preview here. But in short, I believe Lee has evolved his game to the point where he has the patience and the skill to take advantage of Ferguson's wild, at-times open, fighting style.

PICK: LEE BY SUBMISSION

'Mighty Mouse' goes for history

dj-borg--1-
[Photo Credit: © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports]

The co-main sees Demetrious Johnson bid for UFC history, as he takes on Ray Borg looking to make his 11th successful defense of the UFC flyweight title.

The pair was due to fight at UFC 215 last month, but illness ruled Borg out of the contest on weigh-in day. Thankfully, Borg made a full and speedy recovery, and the pair will do battle for the belt on Saturday night.

It's impossible to go against Johnson in this bout, however, and the all-conquering champion is a clear odds-on favorite to prevail on Saturday night.

Borg is a tough competitor, but simply isn't in Johnson's class. "Mighty Mouse" is the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world today, and he should cement that status by writing his name into the record books with victory.

PICK: JOHNSON BY SUBMISSION


UFC 216: Ferguson vs Lee – Fight Card

Predicted winners highlighted in green

Main Card

Tony FergusonKevin LeeInterim UFC lightweight title
Demetrious JohnsonRay BorgUFC flyweight title
Fabricio WerdumDerrick LewisHeavyweight bout
Mara Romero BorellaKalindra FariaFlyweight bout
Beneil DariushEvan DunhamLightweight bout

TV Prelims

Tom DuquesnoyCody StamannBantamweight bout
Will BrooksNik LentzLightweight bout
Bobby GreenLando VannataLightweight bout
Pearl GonzalezPoliana BotelhoStrawweight bout

UFC Fight Pass Prelims

Walt HarrisMark GodbeerHeavyweight bout
John MoragaMagomed BibulatovFlyweight bout
Thales LeitesBrad TavaresMiddleweight bout
Matt SchnellMarco BeltranFlyweight bout

Follow Simon Head on Twitter @simonhead.


Be part of the Action

Download the Sports Action app at the App Store or Google Play now.

How would you rate this article?

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.