Prior to each UFC fight card, Jay Primetown takes a look at some of the key contests at each event. In the latest installment, we look at the main event of UFC Fight Night 110 as New Zealand’s Mark Hunt takes on American Derrick Lewis.
Mark Hunt (Record: 12-11, +100 Underdog, Power Ranking: B-)
The 43-year-old former title challenger enters a main event fight on home soil coming off consecutive losses. He last fought in March 2017, a fight in which he absorbed a brutal knee by Alistair Overeem in the third round, resulting in a TKO loss. Hunt is the oldest active fighter on the UFC roster.
The “Super Samoan” has one of the biggest cult followings in the UFC. At 5-foot-10 and weighing in at the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds, Hunt certainly doesn’t have the prototypical body for the sport. However, he makes up his physical limitations with pure will and striking prowess. Hunt is one of the best strikers in the division. He holds some tremendous knockouts, including those over Frank Mir, Roy Nelson and Stefan Struve. He has heavy hands and combines that with powerful leg kicks. Hunt has tree trunks for legs and uses that size and power to land heavy kicks to his opponents. He’s been knocked out five times in his career, but he has shown tremendous will, and it takes either significant damage or a well-timed strike to really hurt him. A glaring hole in Hunt’s defense is his grappling. His takedown defense is limited (67 percent), and when put on his back, he has nothing to offer his opponents.
Derrick Lewis (Record: 18-4, -120 Favorite, Power Ranking: B-)
The New Orleans-born heavyweight fighter relocated to Houston, Texas as a teenager. Lewis lived a mixed upbringing where he served three-and-a-half years in prison after violating probation. Afterwards, he began training in martial arts and fighting professionally. Lewis enters his third straight main event on a six-fight winning streak, with five of those coming by knockout.
Lewis is one of the better athletes in the division. For a man his size, he’s got decent movement and balance. On top of that is the power in his hands. Lewis is one of the most feared fighters in the division because of the dynamite he packs in his hands. He learned how to box from George Foreman, a legendary boxer who had some of the most powerful hands the sport ever saw. If Lewis is able to land clean, he can easily knock an opponent out with one punch. He was able to do this against Gabriel Gonzaga. While Lewis is very good in stand-up boxing, where he does his best work is on the ground. He’s shown improvements in his offensive wrestling game throughout his MMA career. In top control, he’s absolutely ruthless and very likely to earn a finish. Where Lewis can struggle is in the defensive wrestling. He can be taken down by opponents, and he doesn’t have much of an answer when he’s put on his back.
Matchup
A fascinating heavyweight main event between two fighters pushing the division’s weight limit headlines UFC Fight Night 110. This is a huge fight for Lewis, who is looking for another Top 10 win and to potentially put him next in line for an opportunity at the championship. On the feet, both men are dangerous. They each throw strikes with fight-ending intentions. Each fighter has shown some durability and an ability to fight out of trouble. The key difference in this fight is the ground game. Hunt hasn’t shown ability to stop a takedown nor any semblance of ability off his back. On the flip side, Lewis is excellent in top control and has proven he can finish in that position. The first chance Lewis has from top position is likely where this fight ends. I see Lewis succeeding from top control and forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. It’s a tall order for someone to come into Hunt’s hometown and stop him, but Lewis has the skill set to do it.
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