For the seventh time, the UFC will host an event in Nashville, Tennessee. The UFC’s knockout king, No. 9 Derrick Lewis, returns to face rising star No. 13 Tallison Teixeira in the Main Event of Saturday’s Fight Night. Lewis isn’t the only legend on this card as No. 12 Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson takes on Gabriel Bonfim in the co-main event.
The Prelims begin at 6:00 p.m. ET, with the Main Card starting at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. Check out my favorite fighters to add to your daily fantasy lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $350K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
Studs
Gabriel Bonfim ($9,000)
Gabriel Bonfim is taking on the legend Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Bonfim is 4-1 in the UFC and most recently beat Khaos Williams in February. Thompson, 42, is nearing the end of his storied career as he has been finished in his previous two bouts. He has also lost four of his last five contests.
This is the biggest fight of Bonfim’s career, and although Thompson is past his prime, he will still be a tough challenge. Although Thompson has been an incredible striker throughout his career, Bonfim is the better all-around fighter right now. Bonfim averages more significant strikes per minute (5.22 vs. 4.11) while landing 2.68 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Bonfim has scored 97-plus fantasy points in three of his five UFC fights while recording 107 in his last bout. Bonfim takes down opponents at a 76 percent rate and most likely will find the most success on the ground in this contest.
Kennedy Nzechukwu ($8,800)
Since Nzechukwu moved up to heavyweight, he has gone 2-0 with two first-round knockouts. During that stretch, he has scored 110 and 112 points. Even though Nzechukwu is a smaller heavyweight by weight, he makes up for it with his long-standing reach and quickness on the feet.
A key for Nzechukwu in this fight will be to use his elite 81 percent takedown defense. That is because he is facing Valter Walker, who averages nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes at a 70 percent rate. However, with his athleticism and success against opponents’ takedown attempts, it’s a great spot to back Nzechukwu.
Nzechukwu needs to make this a striking matchup while keeping Walker at range. If he follows that plan, a third big victory and fantasy performance should be doable for Nzechukwu.
Value Play
Nate Landwehr ($7,300)
Anytime Landwehr is fighting, an entertaining bout is inevitable. Landwehr is 5-4 in the UFC, with three of his last four victories coming by finish. Only two of his previous seven contests have gone to a decision. Landwehr’s demanding schedule continues with a fight against Morgan Charriere on Saturday.
Landwehr is a +220 underdog in this matchup on DraftKings Sportsbook. On the feet, Landwehr is the better striker, landing 2.13 more significant strikes per minute than Charriere. A problem for Landwehr has been that he takes a ton of damage from opponents.
Getting someone with as much power as Landwehr possesses at only $7,300 is a great value fighter to add to your lineup. Landwehr is in a great position to bounce back, as he has never lost three straight fights in a row. In this matchup, Landwehr is three inches taller (72″ vs. 69″) than Charriere and can control the distance of this fight if he is aggressive.
Set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $350K Throwdown [$100K to 1st]
