Distance: 6-inch reach difference
Read matchup Real analysis. Smarter reads. A deeper understanding of the card.
The evidence points to a volume gap (4.3 vs 2.4 strikes per minute); that is the read to test in the first five minutes.
The stored career numbers do not draw a sharp contrast between these two, which usually means the fight is decided by adjustments rather than a single dominant phase.
Supporting evidenceDistance: 7-inch reach difference
| Attribute | Cormier | Lewis |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 39 | 33 |
| Height | 5′11″ | 6′3″ |
| Reach | 72″ | 79″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Rank | Unranked | #12 Heavyweight |
Highlighted rows mark a meaningful factual difference, not an advantage. Unpublished values stay unpublished.
Lewis holds a 7-inch reach edge (79" to 72"); Cormier has to cross distance to land.
Favors LewisCormier has 7 archived five-round fights to Lewis’ 3; championship rounds are familiar territory for one side.
Favors CormierLewis has been finished 3 times in the archive and absorbs 2.8 strikes per minute; Cormier has never been stopped in the stored record.
Favors CormierWho sets the range in round one: Lewis holds the longer reach, so early success for the shorter fighter usually requires feints and fast entries.
The middle rounds belong to whoever sets the pace: Cormier averages 4.3 landed per minute to Lewis at 2.4, so Lewis needs the counters to land clean (48% accuracy on record).
Scheduled for five rounds: 25 minutes changes the pace math, and a fighter who banks two early rounds can afford to manage the fourth.
