Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight wrestlers Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie will battle this Saturday (Nov. 2, 2019) at UFC 244 from inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
It was not long ago now that Lee seemed like sure-fire contender, the type of fighter who would definitely be in the title mix for many years to come. However, consecutive losses have definitely taken the shine off Lee, particularly see “MoTown Phenom” did not make the best choices in the fights themselves. Six straight wins and an undefeated record have earned Gillespie a shot at top-notch opposition, and the New York-native intends to make the most of it opposite Lee. Gillespie has finished his last five victories and at 32 years old, this is really important moment for Gillespie’s championship hopes.
Let’s take a closer look at the keys to victory for each man:
Kevin Lee
Record: 17-5
Key Wins: Edson Barboza (UFC Fight Night 128), Michael Chiesa (UFC Fight Night 112), Francisco Trinaldo (UFC Fight Night 106), Michele Prazeres (UFC Fight Night 60)
Key Losses: Al Iaquinta (UFC on FOX 31, UFC 169), Raphael dos Anjos (UFC Fight Night 152), Tony Ferguson (UFC 216), Leonardo Santos (UFC 194)
Keys to Victory: Lee is a remarkable physical talent, a Lightweight wrestler with great physical strength and a reach longer than Nate Diaz. Now training at Tristar with Georges St-Pierre, it will be interesting to see how Lee’s game changes, as he already has a well-rounded skill set.
Can he make the most of it?
This is a difficult match up for Lee, perhaps the first foe of Lee’s career where he’s without a wrestling advantage. Gillespie is an incredibly credentialed wrestler, and thus far, he’s been remarkably dominant in the cage.
That doesn’t mean Lee cannot score takedowns, but he has to be smart. Against the fence, Lee’s double leg is damn near unstoppable due to those long arms. Given Gillespie’s background, he’ll likely turn away after being put on his butt, which could very likely expose him to Lee’s brutal back control.
That’s a very viable path to victory for Lee, but it requires him to apply all of his skills smartly. Lee will have a reach advantage, one even more helpful when considering that Lee is also the better kicker. If Lee uses his kickboxing skill and range advantage to maneuver Gilliespie toward the fence and set up his double, he should be able to implement his top control.
Gregor Gillespie
Record: 13-0
Key Wins: Yancy Medeiros (UFC Fight Night 143), Vinc Pichel (UFC Fight Night 131), Jason Gonzalez (UFC Fight Night 116), Glaico Franca (UFC Fight Night 95)
Key Losses: None
Keys to Victory: A four-time Division 1 All-American and National Champion wrestler, Gillespie’s wrestling has proven incredibly dominant inside the Octagon. Equally dangerous is his world-class cardio, which allows him to push an absolutely furious pace and quickly overwhelm his foe.
That cardio is the key to defeating Lee. In all of Lee’s recent losses, he’s faded later in the fight. Admittedly, they were all five found contests, but Gillespie fights are uniquely exhausting. Plus, Lee is back at 155 pounds, which could prove a limiting factor to his gas tank.
Moving forward is important here. As explained above, Lee can fight from a longer distance than his opponent, and the general answer to a rangy fighter is pressure. In addition, it’s more fatiguing to fight from the back foot, and both of these wrestlers tend to do their best work when moving forward.
Bottom Line: This is an awesome fight.
Lee has already slipped from his position in the top five, but a loss here removes him from the Top 10. That’s a considerable slide in the opposite direction of the 27-year-old combatant’s hopes. However, handing Gillespie his first-ever career loss would also be an important win for Lee, one that could demonstrate an even higher ceiling with Tristar in his corner.
As for Gillespie, this is the big opportunity he’s been waiting for, his first opponent ranked inside the Top 10. Gillespie looks ready for the highest level of competition, and this is his chance to prove it. If he manages to steamroll Lee like he’s handled his recent competition, it may be time to include Gillespie in the discussion of potential title contenders at 155 pounds.
Given his age and credentials, there’s no reason to delay.
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 244 fight card this weekend RIGHT HERE, starting with the Fight Pass/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard balance on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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At UFC 244, Kevin Lee and Gregor Gillespie will open the main card. Which man will have his hand raised?