UFC On ESPN 4 Main Card Preview & Predictions
2. Aleksei Oleinik (57-12-1) Vs. Walt Harris (12-7-1)
In what will be the evening's final heavyweight contest, submission artist Aleksei 'The Boa Constrictor' Oleinik takes on the always dangerous Walt 'The Big Ticket' Harris.
Aleksei Oleinik has been a professional mixed martial artist since 1996. Even at age 42, he is still arguably the most dangerous submission specialist in the division. After defeating both Junior Albini and Mark Hunt via submission in 2018, 'The Boa Constrictor's two-fight winning steak was snapped by Alistair Overeem this past April.
36-year-old Walt Harris is former Golden Gloves Champion who usually relies on his boxing to get the job done inside the octagon. He's had his ups and downs in the UFC and is currently sporting a 6-6-1 record since signing with the promotion. He's a 6' 5" heavyweight with plenty of power and comes in fresh off a TKO victory over Sergey Spivak.
This fight will likely go one of two ways. Oleinik is a very small heavyweight and at 42, isn't the most fleet-footed fighter, so it wouldn't be shocking if Harris's heavy hands get the job done early. After all, ten of The Big Ticket's' twelve wins have come via first-round knockout. That being said, Harris has no ground game to speak of, so if Oleinik can get things to the mat the fight could be over in a hurry.
Historically, Walt Harris hasn't performed well against top tier competition like Oleinik. It seems more likely than not that 'The Boa Constrictor' is able to get Harris to the mat and sink in a choke for the win.
The Pick: Oleinik via first-round submission.