UFC Vegas 45 takes place on Dec. 17 from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev. The card features a pair of pivotal matchups in the top ten of the welterweight and heavyweight divisions.
First, in the co-main event, ranked welterweights Belal Muhammad and Stephen Thompson will face off in a bout that will push the winner even closer into championship contention. The bout is a major opportunity for the Chicago native Muhammad to prove he is an elite talent in the division by beating a stalwart of the top-10 in “Wonderboy.”
In the main event, recent interim title contender, and fan favorite, Derrick Lewis makes his return to the Octagon to battle one of the division’s fastest rising talents in Philadelphia’s Chris Daukaus. A win for the #7 fighter, on the MixedMartialArts.com UFC heavyweight rankings, over Lewis could get Daukaus within one victory of a title opportunity in 2022.
How to watch UFC Vegas 45 on Dec. 17
- UFC Vegas 45 takes place on Dec. 17 from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev.
- The event will stream on ESPN+ and begin at 4 pm ET with preliminary action. That is then followed by the main card at 7 pm ET
- You can purchase “VIP Experience” tickets to UFC APEX events directly from the promotion here
UFC Vegas 45 fight card
Main Card
Derrick Lewis (+120) vs. Chris Daukaus (-140)
Stephen Thompson (-235) vs. Belal Muhammad (+190)
Amanda Lemos (-380) vs. Angela Hill (+290)
Raphael Assunção (+220) vs. Ricky Simón (-275)
Diego Ferreira (+160) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (-190)
Darren Elkins (+170) vs. Cub Swanson (-200)
Preliminary Card
Gerald Meerschaert (-225) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (+185)
Raoni Barcelos (-310) vs. Victor Henry (+245)
Justin Tafa (-335) vs. Harry Hunsucker (+260)
Sijara Eubanks (-180) vs. Melissa Gatto (+155)
Charles Jourdain (-200) vs. Andre Ewell (+170)
Raquel Pennington (-190) vs. Macy Chiasson (+160)
Don’Tale Mayes (-195) vs. Josh Parisian (+165)
Jordan Leavitt (-115) vs. Matt Sayles (-105)
Betting Odds via draft kings
UFC Vegas 45 appointment television fights
Derrick Lewis (25-8) vs. Chris Daukaus (12-3)
CFFC veteran Daukaus has been sensational in winning his first four bouts in the UFC, and all by knockout. But now he steps into the big leagues in his first main event opportunity, and against one of the hardest hitters in UFC history. For the fourth-ranked Lewis, he must win to stay in the title hunt, following his loss to Ciryl Gane in the pair’s September interim title fight. This matchup is not built to go the distance and could be decided by who makes the first mistake.
Prediction: Lewis by TKO, round 2
Belal Muhammad (19-3) vs. Stephen Thompson (16-5-1)
In going unbeaten over his last six fights, “Remember the Name” has evolved from solid 170-pound talent to a top-10 fighter with real championship potential. If he is to reach the elite level and further his title aspirations there is no better test than Thompson. At 38, “Wonderboy” remains a high-level fighter, and a victory here would be just another instance of his impressive ability to keep father time at bay. This will be a fascinating clash of styles in Las Vegas.
Prediction: Thompson by unanimous decision
Diego Ferreira (17-4) vs. Mateusz Gamrot (19-1)
Outside of a razor-thin loss in his UFC debut, Mateusz Gamrot has been outstanding in a career that includes holding KSW gold. On Saturday night he gets his biggest challenge yet in top-15 fighter Diego Ferreira. A man reeling from back-to-back losses and hoping to avoid the first three-fight losing streak of his career. It is a battle of a rising star versus a skilled competitor trying to keep their UFC employment in good standing. there is much to gain and lose for both.
Prediction: Gamrot by TKO, round 3
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