Derrick Lewis overcame the clutches of veteran Aleksei Oleinik and emerged with an impressive TKO victory in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 32 Saturday night.
Oleinik as expected used his grappling to drag Lewis to the ground in the first round and almost secured a bulldog choke and an armbar submission, but Lewis was able to survive.
Lewis subsequently took advantage of Oleinik’s fatigue in the second round and landed a right hand floored Oleinik. Follow-up strikes forced referee Herb Dean to call the bout 21 seconds into the second round.
The win gave Lewis 11 knockout finishes, a record in the heavyweight division. It also ties him with Anderson Silva, and is only one knockout behind overall record holder Vitor Belfort.
Another @TheBeast_UFC style finish means a @TheBeast_UFC style interview 🤘#UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/lfsMYldHDR
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
The loss snapped Oleinik’s two fight winning streak.
Lewis said in the post-fight press conference that he would like to fight Curtis Blaydes next.
💰4️⃣ Performance of the Night Bonuses kind of night 💰#UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/CxdcCiaVsS
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
Gavin Tucker, Darren Stewart, Andrew Sanchez and Kevin Holland all earned performances of the night and a $50,000 USD apiece. No Fight of the Night award was given.
Kenai Andrews checks in with this thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARD
BENEIL DARIUSH VS. SCOTT HOLTZMAN
OH MY GOODNESS! @BeneilDariush w/ the spinning back fist! #UFCVegas6 on E+ pic.twitter.com/ahMwbRJkbM
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
WINNER: Beneil Dariush VIA TKO (SPINNING BACKFIST) R1 4:38
ANDREWS PREDICTION: BENEIL DARIUSH VIA TKO
Andrews: Another good performance from Dariush.
YANA KUNITSKAYA VS. JULIJA STOLIARENKO
🇷🇺 @YanaMMA is back in the win column! #UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/etrRncmHN4
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
WINNER: YANA KUNITSKAYA VIA UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JULIJA STOLIARENKO VIA TKO
Andrews: Julija struggled, I thought she would land some shots but Yana grinded her out. Good win.
DARREN STEWART VS. MAKI PITOLO
WOW! "The Dentist" @Darren_MMA w/ the submission finish!! #UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/32ygRELUd3
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
WINNER: DARREN STEWART VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R1 3:41
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAKI PITOLO VIA UD
Andrews: Good bounceback win for Stewart.
CHRIS WEIDMAN VS. OMARI AKHMEDOV
He's BACK! @ChrisWeidman takes home the UD win at #UFCVegas6! pic.twitter.com/U9PWmAzdZl
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
WINNER: CHRIS WEIDMAN VIA UD (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: OMARI AKHMEDV VIA TKO
Andrews: Weidman used his grappling, but he still look drained. I don’t think he gets away with this performance against the top contenders.
DERRICK LEWIS VS. ALEKSEI OLEINIK
Another @TheBeast_UFC style finish means a @TheBeast_UFC style interview 🤘#UFCVegas6 pic.twitter.com/lfsMYldHDR
— UFC (@ufc) August 9, 2020
WINNER: DERRICK LEWIS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 0:21
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEKSEI OLEINIK VIA TKO
Andrews: Lewis needs to land. If he doesn’t, Aleksei will make him gas, then drag him to the mat for the tap.
Andrews Prediction: Aleksei Oleinik via TKO
