EXCLUSIVE | Pro fighters make their picks for Junior dos Santos vs Derrick Lewis fight

The Octagon touches down in Wichita, Kansas for the first time in history this Saturday. In the main event, former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos will be taking on former title challenger Derrick Lewis.

Ahead of this heavyweight fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions. Some believe dos Santos will be too much for Lewis, while others believe Lewis will land a fight-ending blow on dos Santos. Two others can’t decide at all.

Here’s what they had to say.

Pro Fighters Pick Junior dos Santos vs Derrick Lewis

Jason Knight, BKFC featherweight: Realistically, dos Santos should win that fight. He is a better fighter, but Lewis has been putting people down. You can never tell with Lewis. He can land one punch and the guy goes to sleep. So I’m not sure.

Blagoy Ivanov, UFC heavyweight: I think dos Santos.

Beneil Dariush, UFC lightweight: That’s a tough one, man. I would be lying if I said I didn’t like Derrick Lewis but I like Junior as well. The thing with Lewis is you never know. If he comes in healthy he is a scary guy. If he doesn’t have any issues he will be a beast so I’m going to go with healthy Derrick Lewis. If he shows up he will win.

Louis Smolka, UFC bantamweight: I would think dos Santos would win, but Lewis is unpredictable and does a lot of crazy stuff. Maybe he gets lucky and tags Junior, I don’t know, heavyweight fights are hard to pick cause it is about who starts faster. But, I’ll go with dos Santos.

Montana De La Rosa, UFC flyweight: Derrick Lewis, by KO in the third round.

Jordan Rinaldi, UFC featherweight: JDS all the way. I have always loved dos Santos. Derrick Lewis is managed by my manager but I have to go with JDS. I think he just grows with every fight and has gotten better and better. He is more well rounded and more athletic than Lewis and that will be the difference.

Macy Chiasson, UFC bantamweight: Man, I don’t know. Derrick Lewis always has this way to come out on top but I don’t know. It will be a fun one to watch, and I want to see his cardio improved and if he can improve on that Derrick will be a big threat.

Max Griffin, UFC welterweight: Derrick Lewis vs Junior dos Santos is going to be a great fight. Both guys bring knockout power and they’re both very tough. I’m going to have to go with Derrick Lewis on this one. I think he does well against taller fighters and he’s coming off a loss to ‘DC’ so he will perform. Dos Santos is going to try to use his movement but I feel they will both get emotional and wild. ‘Black Beast’ by second round KO. 

Cody Stamann, UFC bantamweight: Derrick Lewis by KO — if he is the balls is hot Derrick Lewis.

Drew Dober, UFC lightweight: It is crazy, with these two heavyweights if they land one punch they change the outcome of the fight. I’m going to go with dos Santos, and I think he can really prevent Lewis from landing the knockout shot. 

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Fighters picking Junior dos Santos: Blagoy Ivanov, Louis Smolka, Jordan Rinaldi, Drew Dober

Fighters picking Derrick Lewis: Beneil Dariush, Montana De La Rosa, Max Griffin, Cody Stamann

Fighters undecided: Jason Knight, Macy Chiasson

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 3/7/2019.