On Saturday, May 10, 2025, UFC Fight Night will feature a featherweight showdown between Brazil’s Daniel “Willycat” Santos and South Korea’s JeongYeong “Korean Tiger” Lee. Both fighters are eager to climb the rankings and make a statement in the division. Santos brings a dynamic striking arsenal, while Lee is known for his explosive finishes and submission skills. Here, we analyze Daniel Santos vs JeongYeong Lee and make our prediction for the fight in the betting markets.
Daniel Santos vs JeongYeong Lee Preview
Daniel Santos enters the bout with a professional record of 12-2, including six wins by knockout and two by submission. Fighting out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, Santos is known for his aggressive striking and has secured three first-round finishes in his career. His most recent victory came on June 3, 2023, when he defeated Johnny Munoz Jr. by unanimous decision. The question for Santos going into this fight is how he will perform after nearly two years without an MMA fight.
JeongYeong Lee holds a professional record of 11-2, with four wins by knockout and three by submission. Training out of Fight Ready, Lee is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a penchant for quick finishes, boasting five first-round victories. However, in his last outing on July 20, 2024, Lee suffered a first-round TKO loss to Hyder Amil, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in his striking defense. Despite this setback, Lee remains a dangerous opponent with a well-rounded skill set.
Betting Insights
As of now, JeongYeong Lee is a slight favorite in this fight. At Sportzino, he comes in at -125 to grab the win, while Santos stands at +100. Bettors should monitor the odds as they change throughout the week and consider the following factors:
- Striking Advantage: Santos’s higher significant strikes landed per minute and solid takedown defense suggest he can dictate the pace and range of the fight.
- Submission Threat: Lee’s BJJ black belt and history of quick submissions make him a constant threat on the ground.
- Recent Performance: Santos is on a winning streak, while Lee is coming off a TKO loss, which could impact their confidence and approach.
Daniel Santos vs JeongYeong Lee Prediction
Daniel Santos (+100) over JeongYeong Lee
220K Gold Coins & 10 FREE Sweeps Coins
- Santos’ striking should help him to shake off any rust from being out of action for nearly two years.
- Lee suffered his first loss in UFC in his last fight and he could have trouble with another talented striker here.
This matchup pits Santos’s striking against Lee’s grappling. If Santos can maintain distance and utilize his striking effectively, he can outpoint Lee or potentially secure a knockout. Conversely, if Lee can close the distance and bring the fight to the ground, his submission skills could lead to a quick finish. Given Santos’s strong takedown defense and striking output, he is likely to control the fight’s tempo.
Prediction: Daniel Santos wins by unanimous decision.
