The UFC middleweight title was on the line over the weekend at UFC 271, and the reigning champ Israel Adesanya defended his title against Robert Whittaker once again. However, the co-main event was the wildest fight on the entire card, in my opinion. Read below for my recap of Derrick Lewis vs. Tai Tuivasa.
UFC Heavyweight Bout
If you went to BMR for the UFC Odds prior to fight night, you would have found the fighters priced at: Derrick Lewis -185 and Tai Tuivasa +155. At this price, Tai Tuivasa was a very valuable dog and he definitely proved his value Saturday night against the Black Beast.
Gloves tap. Tuivasa with a couple of low kicks. He eventually backs Lewis up against the cage in a clinch, but was Tai trying to bring the fight to the ground? He was not, so Ref Miragliotta broke them up.
Lewis was still being backed against the fence; he threw a high kick but it was blocked. He then throws a jumping switch kick and goes into a clinch. Roles have reversed since Tuivasa is now against the cage. A takedown from Lewis! Tuivasa defended and was able to get back to his feet.
Lewis got Tai against the fence again and let his hands explode. Tuivasa was throwing punches back; Tai’s chin was being tested!
Now they were back working in the clinch, then Lewis threw Tuivasa over his hip! Lewis had all of his weight on Tuivasa; yet Tuivasa was able to get back up and finish the rounds in the clinch.
When we entered the second round, I was surely expecting Derrick Lewis to finish Tuivasa. Tuivasa threw some consistent kicks early and Lewis would swing with a big counter. Lewis found his opening and rushed Tuivasa with uppercuts.
Lewis hurt Tuivasa! Tuivasa was covering up as Lewis attacked him. They clinch against the cage; Lewis tried to trip Tuivasa but he defense.
Out of nowhere, Tuivasa hurt Lewis! Lewis was swinging aimlessly; he manages to clip Tuivasa, but he eats it and knocks the Black Beast out cold!
What a finish – I promise you, those final sequence of events left me speechless with my mouth open. The chin on Tuivasa is remarkable, especially for being able to withhold those nasty punches from Derrick Lewis.
Tai Tuivasa is now 28 years old and is currently on a five-fight knockout streak. This victory over Derrick Lewis has now made him ranked #3 in the UFC heavyweight division; Derrick Lewis is now ranked #5 in the division.
Throughout the entire card, though, there were many exciting fights. The dog-value winners on this card were: Douglas Silva de Andrade (+175), Jacob Malkoun (+100), and Tai Tuivasa (+155).
Up next in the UFC, we have UFC Vegas 48: Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the UFC Apex. This main card appears to be a potential banger since we have Joaquin Buckley vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan, Jim Miller vs. Nikolas Motta, Parker Porter vs. Alan Baudot, (co-main event) Kyle Daukaus vs. Jamie Pickett, and (main event) Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill.
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