Derrick Lewis and Curtis Blaydes met in the main event of UFC Vegas 19 and the two heavyweights left their mark for certain. Both fighters had pretty clear agendas coming into the contest, with Blaydes seemingly hoping to wrestle while Lewis wanted to stand and land haymakers. One of them got his wish. You can find event results, here.
Derrick Lewis Stops Curtis Blaydes
During the first round of their five-round scheduled contest, Derrick Lewis landed a single right hand that stunned Blaydes. For the rest of the round, however, Blaydes was getting the better of the action, landing big punches and a series of low calf kicks that stumbled and hurt Lewis.
When the round had ended, it was a clear one for Blaydes who outstruck Lewis by a clip of four to win. Blaydes did attempt a couple of clinch takedowns and shot one from a level change, but Lewis was able to stay on his feet, which was a big win for him in the early going.
The second round wouldn’t be very long. Blaydes overextended on a takedown attempt and Lewis countered with a perfectly timed uppercut that immediately knocked Blaydes out cold. He was out before he hit the canvas, but Lewis followed it up with two additional shots before referee Herb Dean was able to waive it off. Blaydes was knocked stiff and remained that way for minutes.
Derrick Lewis celebrated the knockout and in his post-fight interview said he didn’t expect a title shot anytime soon since “Jon Jones is coming to heavyweight.” He was given names in the top five of the division and Lewis said he’d prefer a fight with “Stipe Miocic, I like those wrestlers.” Having just dispatched a highly ranked wrestler, the sentiment made perfect sense.
Whoever Lewis gets next, be it Stipe Miocic, Jon Jones, Francis NGannou, or the winner of Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane, it will be must-see TV!
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