The Black Beast Unleashed
In the main event of UFC Fight Night, Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis put on a show, both inside and outside the octagon. Facing the durable Rodrigo Nascimento, Lewis engaged in a grueling battle of clinch fighting and wrestling for the first two rounds.
The Turning Point
As the third round began, Lewis‘ corner reminded him of the game plan – knock out Nascimento. Heeding their advice, Lewis landed a devastating one-two combination that had Nascimento wobbling on unsteady legs.
The Finish
Seizing the opportunity, Lewis unleashed a barrage of follow-up strikes, forcing the referee to step in and stop the contest. With this emphatic knockout, Lewis extended his record for the most UFC knockouts to an impressive 15.
The Outrageous Celebration
While the knockout itself was a spectacle, Lewis‘ post-fight celebration stole the show. In a display of unbridled excitement, Lewis removed his fight trunks and fanned Nascimento with them, much to the crowd’s amusement.
The Shocking Moment
But Lewis didn’t stop there. In a move that left the St. Louis crowd stunned, he briefly pulled down his underwear, mooning the audience in an outrageous display of celebration.
Knockout Details
- Lewis landed a blistering one-two combination that sent Rodrigo Nascimento crumpling to the canvas early in the third round
- It was a perfectly timed counter shot as Nascimento came forward that put him down
- Lewis then swarmed with a flurry of powerful follow-up strikes until the referee was forced to wave it off at the 1:23 mark of round 3
Crowd/Fighter Reactions
- The celebration had the St. Louis crowd on their feet in a mix of amusement and disbelief
- Fellow fighters like Chris Weidman and Bryce Mitchell reacted with amusement on social media
- Some questioned if Lewis would take it even further, with one fighter joking a fan should have done a “shoey” out of Lewis‘ cup
Historical Context
- It was the 15th knockout victory of Lewis‘ UFC career, extending his record for most KOs in promotional history
- At 38 years old, the win snapped a 4-fight losing skid for Lewis and reignited his career in the heavyweight division
The Aftermath
Lewis‘ victory improved his professional mixed martial arts record to 28-12 (1 NC), solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. Nascimento, on the other hand, suffered only the second defeat of his 14-fight professional career.
#UFC Fight Night is Here ??
Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
–#Lewis, 2-5 in his last seven fights, looks to cement his legend as the UFCs most prolific KO artist
–#Nascimento, following 3 consecutive decision wins, looks to overcome his most accomplished opponent yet pic.twitter.com/0bDmZ2AjHf
— Travis and Jon Show (@TravisJonShow) May 12, 2024
Undercard Highlights
- Featherweight prospect Ilia Topuria secured a unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett, further cementing his status as a rising star in the division.
- In a thrilling lightweight bout, Jalin Turner edged out Dan Ige via split decision, showcasing his grit and determination.
- Middleweight contender Brendan Allen scored a highlight-reel knockout over Andre Muniz, putting himself in the mix for a potential title shot.
UFC Fight Night delivered an unforgettable night of action, with Derrick Lewis’ explosive knockout and outrageous celebration stealing the show. While his antics outside the octagon raised eyebrows, Lewis‘ performance inside the cage solidified his status as a knockout artist and a fan favorite in the heavyweight division.
