A key heavyweight bout featuring Derrick Lewis taking on former division title holder Junior Dos Santos headlined tonight’s UFC Wichita event.
Lewis enters tonight’s event headliner looking to rebound, this after suffering a submission loss to reigning heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier in his most recent appearance at UFC 230.
Prior to his setback to “DC”, Lewis had stung together three straight wins over opponents Marcin Tybura, Francis Ngannou and most recently Alexander Volkov.
Meanwhile, Junior dos Santos was last seen in action at December’s UFC event in Adelaide, where he scored a second round TKO victory over Tai Tuivasa.
The former UFC heavyweight kingpin, Dos Santos, has won 3 of his past 4 fights headed into tonight’s UFC Wichita main event.
Round one of the UFC Wichita main event begins and Dos Santos leaps in with a right hand that misses the mark. Lewis answers with a hard low kick. “JDS” replies with one of his own. “JDS” has Lewis backed against the cage. Derrick throws a high kick which is blocked. He charges in but takes an accidental eye poke from the former champion. We take a brief break and then restart. Junior comes forward but misses with an attempted jab to the body. Lewis with another hard kick, this time to the body. Dos Santos with a low kick but Lewis counters beautifully with a right hand. Somehow Junior ate that and appears ok. Lewis with another crazy high kick. Dos Santos side steps and then lands a massive right. Lewis is rocked. “JDS” rushes in but Lewis catches him with a right hook. Now Junior appears to be stunned. Dos Santos circles out and then comes back with a low kick. He lands a jab but Lewis answers with a shot to the body. “JDS” continues to press forward and loads up a right hand. Lewis avoids and misses with a hook. Junior with a hard low kick. Lewis answers with a nice kick to the body. Dos Santos just misses with a combination. Lewis moves to his right but eats a spinning back kick. He is hurt but fires off a right hand. Dos Santos avoids and then pushes Lewis against the cage and start dropping punches. Lewis is hurt to the body. Somehow he survives to hear the horn sound to end round one.
Round two begins and Lewis misses with a front kick to get things started. “JDS” with early pressure. He backs Lewis up but Derrick fires off a high kick which is blocked. “The Black Beast” with a body kick now. He lands a hard low kick on the former champion. Dos Santos slips and Lewis is on him with big punches. “JDS” scrambles and gets back up to his feet. Lewis is there waiting and throws a switch kick. Derrick changes levels and shoots in for a takedown. Junior dos Santos with a right hand over the top. That appears to rock Lewis. “JDS” with follow up punches and Derrick Lewis is down. More shots from Junior and this one is all over! WOW!
Official UFC Wichita Result: Junior dos Santos def. Derrick Lewis via KO in Round 2