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LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 25: Chris Daukaus screams after the referee called the fight against Shamil Abdyrakhimov in their Heavyweight fight during UFC 266 at T-Mobile Arena on September 25, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The bout between Derrick Lewis and Chris Daukaus is the main event for Saturday's UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, along with plenty of other fights that should excite UFC fans. We'll break down the entire UFC Fight Night: Lewis-Daukaus card with our expert betting picks below.

A heavyweight bout with a high potential of violence headlines UFC Fight Night on Saturday when Derrick Lewis trades dynamite-packed fists with Chris Daukaus. Cub Swanson and Darren Elkins will face off searching for a top 15 ranking in the featherweight division, while Dustin Stoltzfus and Gerald Meerschaert look to solidify themselves in the organization.

Our experts offer up their top picks and best bets for the entire UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Daukaus card.

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Daukaus Expert Picks

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Fight odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of Dec. 16, 2021. UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Daukaus picks made by Johnny Covers, Denis Lipka, and Kyle Smith.

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus Locks

Simon to win (-275)

A 10 year veteran of the UFC, Raphael Assunção comes into this fight on a three-fight slide and is in desperate need of a win. Unfortunately, two of those fights didn’t even make it out of the second round, as the 39-year-old fighter has started to fade significantly in the octagon over the past two years. 

On the other side, Ricky Simón comes in on a three-fight win streak and has strung together some of the best performances of his career in the process. While the striking is comparable, Simón’s grappling is what gives him the massage edge in this one, as he comes into Saturday averaging a staggering 6.93 takedowns per 15 minutes and a takedown accuracy of 54%. 

Look for Simón to win this one well before the final bell. - Covers

Lemos to win (-310)

These two strawweight fighters are heading in opposite directions. Lemos has won four straight fights in the division and has become a threat to earn a title fight soon. Her jarring knockout of Montserrat Conejo in July was the second-fastest knockout in women's strawweight history. Lemos has proven to be a strong striker, and her grappling is an underrated aspect of her game.

Hill, with three losses in four bouts, is struggling to survive in the UFC. She's capable of landing significant strikes but only slightly more often than she's taking them. Hill will only win this bout if she shows better defense than we've seen from her, or she gets a flashbulb knockout. - Lipka

Meerschaert to win (-225)

A submission ace, Meerschaert averages 1.82 submissions per 15 and will try to get inside on Stoltzfus where he’ll quickly take the bout to the floor. From there, “GM3” will soften Stoltzfus up before snatching a fight-ending submission. - Smith

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus Top Underdog Picks

Elkins to win (+160)

Swanson should be the favorite in this one, but I think this fight ends up much closer than the oddsmakers are projecting. While Swanson has the slight edge in striking, Elkins grappling is on a different level and I think we see that play out here. 

A fan favorite, Swanson comes into this fight loser of five of his last seven fights, and a loss here would squash any chances of one final run before he goes into the sunset of his UFC career. I like for Elkins to use his 2” size advantage to get this one to the ground and keep it there, racking up plenty of points along the way. - Covers

Muhammad to win (+180)

It's not easy to pick against the veteran Thompson considering his resume of survival. "Wonderboy" doesn't die, and the 38-year-old often proves to be a nuisance thanks to his karate background. He's able to outlast foes who want to trade blows or keep their distance and take kicks.

I don't foresee Muhammad playing this conservatively, though. Muhammad will get inside Thompson's 3” reach advantage, negate his length, and use efficient striking and strong grappling technique to keep Thompson off-balance. - Lipka

Elkins to win (+160)

A definite potential “Fight of the Night,” Elkins vs. Swanson has the makings of an absolute firefight. The two veterans are known to engage in bloody wars, and Elkins’ grinding, grapple-heavy style will likely lead him to victory. Although he might be on the receiving end of some heavy shots, Elkins will eventually drag Swanson to the floor where he’ll grind him into a bloody paste en route to a grueling unanimous decision victory. - Smith

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus Top Prop Picks

Lewis To Win by KO/TKO/DQ in Round 1 (+380)

We turn to the main event for this one as the heavyweight division’s hottest up-and-comer Chris Daukaus has a run-in with “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis. In Daukaus' four fights with the UFC thus far, three have ended via KO/TKO in the first round. All of those were wins.

None, however, have been against the likes of Lewis and his ability to avoid contact and counter with one-punch power. In a fight where both fighters will be swinging for a first running home run, don’t be surprised if the veteran teaches the rookie a thing or two in this one. - Covers

Lewis To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+175)

This fight will absolutely end in a knockout, the question is just who will get the big blow. Lewis is fighting to stay within the top-five of the division against a major up-and-comer. The veteran Lewis is a surprising underdog even if he did lose in his title shot a few months ago. 

Daukaus has built an impressive stat sheet quickly but it's important to remember he's stepping up in each fight. Lewis will use his savvy to outlast the younger and less experienced fighter. - Lipka

Elkins To Win By Decision (+350)

Elkins isn’t likely to finish the leather-tough Swanson. Instead, Elkins should out grapple “Killer” over 15 minutes in what could be a grueling war of attrition. Sure, Swanson has the type of power to spark Elkins early, but “The Damage” should survive long enough to take the bout to the floor where he’ll wrestle his way into the win column. - Smith

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus Bold Predictions

Darren Elkins To Win By Submission (+700)

Already eluding to this one above, I think it’s worth putting some “pizza money” on Elkins getting the tap in this one. While Swanson certainly has the pedigree to compete with Elkins it’s been one of his major weaknesses throughout his career. 

Of his 12 professional losses, 60% have come via submission, a category that Elkins excels in as of late with two of his last three wins coming via rear-naked choke. Looking at the metrics, Elkins comes into this one with nearly 3x more takedowns per 15 minutes at 2.67. (vs. 1.08). - Covers

Meerschaert To Win By Submission (+130)

My favorite fact about Meerschaert is the 33-year-old has only won two of his 33 career wins by decision. This dude finishes as well as any fighter, and he's an aggressive grappler despite being a middling boxer. That makes for a tough matchup for Stoltzfus, who is also a mediocre boxer but below-average grappler. 

Meerschaert will win his third straight submission win in 2021 by easily handling Stoltzfus. - Lipka

Lewis To Win In Round 1 (+350)

“The Black Beast” knows how to put fools to sleep.

One of the finest purveyors of violence in the heavyweight division, Lewis’ toughness will allow him to weather an early storm from Daukaus before rendering the former police officer unconscious with a blistering right hand. This should be a fun one. - Smith

Picks made on 12/16/2021 at 4:38 p.m. ET

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