Derrick Lewis Knocks Out Rodrigo Nascimento in UFC St. Louis main event

St. Louis hosted Saturday’s UFC event at the Enterprise Center.  A heavyweight clash between two-time title challenger Derrick Lewis and fifteenth-ranked Rodrigo Nascimento headlined the fight card.  

Lewis entered the bout coming off a decision loss to Jailton Almeida in his last fight back in November.  Lewis had lost four of his last five bouts and was in desperate need of a win to stay relevant in the division.  Nascimento entered the fight riding a three-fight winning streak and eight years younger than 39-year-old Lewis.

Lewis, how holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history, came out aggressive.  He attempted a flying knee to start the fight and clinched.  He tripped Nascimento to the canvas but Nascimento quickly got to his feet.  The two remained in the clinch along the cage.  Nascimento delivered knees to the body and turned Lewis.  They separated and Lewis missed with a head kick.  He landed a right hand.  They clinched and Lewis connected with right hands.  Nascimento took Lewis down with two minutes remaining in the round.  

Nascimento worked in Lewis’ half guard.  He delivered short right hands before going to the body with lefts.  Nascimento mounted Lewis and Lewis escaped and gained top position.  The round ended with Lewis on top and Nascimento holding on.  

Nascimento opened the second round with a leg kick.  Lewis looked to counter with a right hand but it was mostly blocked.  They exchanged right hands and Lewis powered forward punching his way into the clinch.  They reversed position along the cage a few times before Lewis tried to toss Nascimento causing a separation.  Nascimento returned to the clinch.  Lewis separated and unloaded right hands.  Nascimento covered and clinched.  

Lewis connected with a right hand with two minutes left on the clock.  He landed a big elbow on the inside.  Lewis loaded up with right hands.  Lewis looked to have tripped and Nascimento quickly took his back with 90 seconds remaining.  Lewis controlled an arm and Nascimento spun and ended in half guard.  He delivered a heavy elbow.  The close round ended with Nascimento on top.

The pace slowed at the start of the third round.  Lewis delivered a knee to the body.  Nascimento landed a right hand as Lewis moved into the pocket.  Lewis fired back and staggered Nascimento with a right hand knocking him down.  The referee stepped in after a couple of more shots.  The official time of the finish was 0:49 of the third round.    

After the win, Lewis took off his fight shorts and took out his cup.  With the knockout win, Lewis added to his UFC record knockout victories.  15 times he’s left his opponent separated from consciousness.  

The shorts are off

We repeat, the shorts are OFF‼️#UFCStLouis | @TheBeast_UFC pic.twitter.com/bvSkQCdxq6

— UFC (@ufc) May 12, 2024