The UFC heavyweight division is fast becoming one of the promotion’s most intriguing.
Derrick Lewis helped with that on Saturday night when he knocked out top contender Curtis Blaydes in devastating fashion and shook up the title picture in the process.
Down a round, Lewis was waiting for Blaydes to launch head-first into a takedown early in the second stanza. Little over a minute into that second round, Blaydes paid the price for his takedown attempt as his jaw met Lewis’ uppercut, rendering him unconscious immediately.
Lewis then delivered two brutal ground and pound punches on the downed Blaydes to secure one of the biggest wins of his career.
Here is how their fellow fighters reacted to Lewis’ victory as well as the rest of the fights on that UFC Vegas 19 card.
Derrick Lewis knocks out Curtis Blaydes
Man I swear . Derrick Lewis power is unmatched . Dude sits down and puts you to sleep! Shesssssh #UFCVegas19
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 21, 2021
Yana Kunitskaya pulls out the win against Ketlen Vieira
That was a big statement from Yana. Stifled all the BJJ and made bad positions work for her. #UFCVegas19
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 21, 2021
Darrick Minner dominates Charles Rosa
Chris Daukaus gets TKO win over Alexey Oleynik
Phil Hawes outwrestles Nassourdine Imavov to a decision
Tom Aspinall submits Andrei Arlovski
That was quick td to the choke well done
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) February 21, 2021
Jake Hughes is an MMA writer who has covered the sport since 2013 for publications such as Vice Sports, Fightland, Sherdog and now Fighters Only, where he serves as freelance digital editor.