That MMA Show

UFC Fight Night 146: Dos Santos vs. Lewis

Composed by: Alex “AFM” Minor

Saturday, 3/9/19, the UFC octagon touched down in Wichita, Kansas for an action-packed night of fights. At the top this Midwest fight card was a pivotal Heavyweight clash between former champ, Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos, and the most recent title challenger, Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis. Coming off of an impressive, knockout victory over Tai Tuivasa, Dos Santos was determined to earn another big win that might catapult him toward a title shot with the likes of Daniel Cormier. On the other hand, Lewis was coming back from a disappointing loss to the Heavyweight king a few months prior. This fight with Dos Santos would serve as an opportunity for Lewis to redeem himself, and solidify his position as the #2 seed amongst the Heavyweight elites. Considering the high stakes and the high velocity of each fighters’ punches, this bout was bound to generate “Fireworks”.

As soon as the fight began, a roller coaster of events ensued. Dos Santos came out the gate landing leg kicks to the lead leg. Lewis began landing some big, leaping body kicks, which he continued to land throughout the round. Both men also traded powerful right hands on several occasions throughout the first. JDS made the first big connection with a right over hand, sending Lewis in a retreat across the cage. Almost immediately afterwards, Lewis cracked Dos Santos back with a big right hand of his own. Dos Santos would make a big connection again later on in the round, but Lewis countered right back with a short, right hand off the fence. Toward the end of the round, JDS really shifted the momentum in his favor when he landed a debilitating, spinning back kick to Lewis’ gut. Lewis immediately bent over in agony. However, when JDS walked in to capitalize, Lewis threw a huge right hand that backed JDS off momentarily. JDS would come back in landing leg kicks and hooks from behind as Lewis continued to lean over in pain.

By the second round, Lewis seemed to have recovered from the punishing blow. Therefore, he got right back to throwing big overhands off the fence. However, JDS remained defensive, biding his time for the right moment. About a minute and a half into the round, JDS cornered Lewis once again, and unloaded a brutal check hook-straight right combo that rattled Lewis, forcing him to cower against the fence. Shortly thereafter, JDS unleashed a flurry of powerful hooks that would send Lewis to the canvas in the fetal position. JDS rained down a few more punches from standing position before Referee, Herb Dean, jumped in to save “The Black Beast”.

Since the fight, Junior Dos Santos has let it be known that he desires a title shot with Daniel Cormier, seeing as he beat the #2 seed. However, with Cormier injured, and Brock Lesnar, Stipe Miocic, and Francis Ngannou in the mix, the likelihood of JDS getting a title shot next is quite low. Dos Santos has also expressed interest in taking on Francis Ngannou whom he’s been scheduled to fight in the past. Considering the lethal boxing pedigrees both men employ, such a heavyweight clash would definitely rake in a lot of interest. There is also a possibility that Dos Santos could get a trilogy fight with Stipe Miocic. With so many spine-tingling matchups to be made at the top of the division, there is no doubt that the heavyweights will be making a big splash in 2019.

Official Results

  • Junior Dos Santos def. Derrick Lewis via KO/TKO (Punches) 1:58 into rd. 2
  • Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos def. Curtis Millender via SUB (Rear Naked Choke) 2:35 into rd. 1
  • Niko Price def. Tim Means via KO/TKO (Punches) 4:50 into rd. 1
  • Blagoy Ivanov def. Ben Rothwell via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Beneil Darius def. Drew Dober via SUB (Armbar) 4:41 into rd. 2
  • Omari Akhmedov def. Tim Boetsch via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Anthony Rocco Martin def. Sergio Moraes via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Yana Kunitskaya def. Marion Reneau via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Grant Dawson def. Julian Erosa via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Maurice Greene def. Jeff Hughes via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3
  • Matt Schnell def. Louis Smolka via SUB (Triangle) 3:18 into rd. 1
  • Alex Morono def. Zak Ottow via KO/TKO (Ground & Pound) 3:34 into rd. 1
  • Alex White def. Dan Moret via DEC 5:00 into rd. 3

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