UFC Wichita’s main event was a fun heavyweight clash between contenders Derrick Lewis and Junior Dos Santos, and Dos Santos came out on top.
Derrick Lewis and Junior Dos Santos are two of the hardest hitters on the UFC’s roster. No question. Having a combined thirty-two knockouts between them, Lewis especially is known for his one punch power, having been down on the scorecards multiple times in his career only to come back to win via knockout. Heading into UFC Wichita on Saturday, Lewis had won eight of his last ten fights, and following a win over Alexander Volkov at UFC 229, received a title shot at UFC 230 against Daniel Cormier. He ended up losing via second round submission to DC.
His bounce back fight came in the main event on Saturday, against Brazil’s ‘Cigano.’ Junior Dos Santos is a former UFC heavyweight champion who knocked out Cain Velasquez at the first ever UFC on Fox show. He was coming into UFC Wichita on a two fight winning streak, with wins over Tai Tuivasa and Blagoy Ivanov. A big win on Saturday could catapult him back into title contention.
Fans expected a fun fight. They got that, and then some. The two began the bout by trading leg kicks. Lewis through his trademark high kick, always a sight to behold from a behemoth his size. However Dos Santos accidentally poked him in the eye not much later. ‘The Black Beast’ was able to continue, and his first strike thrown after the poke was a flying knee. Yes, really. Dos Santos landed a giant overhand right that nearly dropped Lewis, Lewis then countered with a big right hand that sent Dos Santos flying across the cage. Santos landed a giant kick to the body that really hurt Lewis. He was doubled over, in pain. Lewis then responded by throwing a big right hand, like a wounded animal lashing out. Had he been playing possum? No, but that was still a vicious knockout attempt.
However, Lewis was soon back to leaning over. That shot took a lot out of him, but he survived to the second round, after an insane first round. Putting it lightly.
Dos Santos started the second round the way he ended the first, he continued attacking the body and landing big shots. He hit Lewis with a big right hand and dropped Lewis, who whose legs gave out on him. JDS jumped in with the ground and pound and that was all she wrote! A tremendous win for Junior Dos Santos.
Help @Junior_Cigano sing Happy Birthday to his son! #UFCWichita pic.twitter.com/eJl8GtBsQ7
— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2019
With Daniel Cormier’s retirement on the horizon, Dos Santos has put himself on the short list of challengers for the heavyweight strap in the future. Cormier might take Lesnar next, but it appears the popular ex-champ Dos Santos, who lead the crowd in signing Happy Birthday to his son post-fight, could soon challenge for gold once again.
Junior Dos Santos def. Derrick Lewis by TKO, Round 2, 1:58
