UFC Fight Night 152: Dos Anjos vs. Lee - Predictions and Picks

#4 Megan Anderson vs. Felicia Spencer

Megan Anderson is returning to action in a rare Women's 145lbs fight

I’m still unsure as to where the UFC are headed with the Women’s 145lbs division. Amanda Nunes finally toppling Cris Cyborg to take the Featherweight title from her was one of the best moments of 2018 and was a breath of fresh air for the division – which felt like a never-ending queue of warm bodies for Cyborg to destroy – but there hasn’t been a fight in the division since and top prospect Macy Chiasson has already dropped to 135lbs, as has Nunes, who will defend the title there against Holly Holm.

I guess the UFC are trying to give the division a push by airing this one on the main card of a show and bringing in a newcomer in Spencer, but I’m just not sure. Spencer is at least a fighter who appears to be highly talented.

The current Invicta champion at the weight, she’s 6-0 and has only gone the distance twice. The fact that most of her victories have come on the ground could bode well for her here too.

That’s because Anderson looked completely out of her depth on the ground against Holly Holm of all people – a career striker – in her UFC debut last year. She did bounce back by beating Cat Zingano in December, but that fight really never got going – Anderson hit her with a glancing head kick that saw a toe enter Zingano’s eye, and the fight had to be stopped.

It was a TKO win for Anderson but in my eyes it should’ve been a No Contest, similar to how an accidental eye poke would’ve been called.

At her best, Anderson is an absolutely devastating kickboxer. Huge for 145lbs, she stands at 6’0” and has a long 72” reach, and she throws everything she has with massive power. It’s why so many people were clamouring for her to fight Cyborg; she felt like the one fighter who had the power to match the Brazilian – until Nunes came along, of course.

For me this could go either way; either Spencer will exploit Anderson’s apparently questionable takedown defense and submit her or keep her grounded for a decision, or she’s getting knocked out.

I’m leaning towards the latter given Anderson’s huge size and reach advantage, and also the fact that where Holly Holm was able to use her dangerous striking to set up her takedowns, Spencer’s striking isn’t nearly that good. I like Anderson here by KO.

The Pick: Anderson via first round KO