Junior Dos Santos and Derrick Lewis put on an impressive, downright crazy showing in the main event at UFC Wichita, showing why MMA fans love heavyweights.
Wow. Crazy is an understatement, frankly. Yet that might have been the most common refrain from observers of Saturday’s main event at UFC Wichita. A heavyweight clash between Junior dos Santos and Derrick Lewis was far more fun, and competitive, than it should have been.
Jumping switch kicks and even a flying knee from Derrick Lewis, a man who cuts weight to make the 266lb heavyweight limit? You got it. Spinning attacks from ex-champ Junior Dos Santos? You got it. Both men were rocked. Both men battled back. But the finish was set up when Dos Santos, arguably the best boxer in the UFC, went to the body of Lewis. It wasn’t his hands that did the damage, however, but a kick.
That kick caused Lewis to double over in pain. Yet as Dos Santos moved in for the kill, the wounded beast lashed out. A lightning fast, vicious swing that would have knocked a rhinoceros out. Lewis, however, missed.
Come the second round, Dos Santos did not. With Derrick Lewis still feeling the effects of that kick to the midsection, Dos Santos caught the former title challenger, rocked him, and swarmed with ground and pound as Lewis covered up.
And this is why heavyweights are beloved. Check below to see the pros react!
CRAZY! @TheBeast_UFC & @Junior_Cigano land bombs on each other at #UFCWichitra. pic.twitter.com/ydgPfXKDcc
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) March 10, 2019
I just want Derrick Lewis to win so we can hear his post fight speech
— Kay Hansen (@KayHansenMMA) March 5, 2019
Omg. He’s my new favourite heavyweight!! #ufcwichita
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 10, 2019
Faking? Nah.
YOOO!! That’s a big ass thigh and leg! Sheesh! Thought Lewis was playing Possum but nah, he was really hurt hurt #UFCWichita
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 10, 2019
Best heavyweight fight I’ve seen in a minute! Obviously impressed with Dos Santos but also Lewis’s determination, thought he was rope-a-doping when he was actually hurt, nuts!
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) March 10, 2019
Anyone else's mind blown by this crazy main event Round 1? @UFC #UFCWichita
— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) March 10, 2019
A shirt wipe. Thanks Herb
FINALLY someone doing the smart thing after getting poked in the eye! Derrick Lewis is a real one! #UFCWichita
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 10, 2019
He’s the best !!! #UFCWichita wipe with herb deans shirt !!! The best !!
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) March 10, 2019
The finish though
HUGEEEE win for JDS here!! Wow, Cigano is on a roll with 3 straight W!!#UFCWichita https://t.co/YU0TNIECR0
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) March 10, 2019
JDS is back!! Looked great tonight #UFCWhichita
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) March 10, 2019
JDS!!!! #ATT
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) March 10, 2019
JDS still got it! #UFCWichita
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 10, 2019
That was incredible #UFCFightNight146
— Brandon Girtz (@brandongirtzmma) March 10, 2019
I can get off the edge my seat now. Wow #UFCWichita https://t.co/IeOdum7Rsb
— Zak Cummings (@ZakCummings) March 10, 2019
Hmmm
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) March 10, 2019
