The UFC heavyweight division is fast becoming one of the promotion’s most intriguing.
Derrick Lewis helped with that on Saturday night when he knocked out top contender Curtis Blaydes in devastating fashion and shook up the title picture in the process.
Down a round, Lewis was waiting for Blaydes to launch head-first into a takedown early in the second stanza. Little over a minute into that second round, Blaydes paid the price for his takedown attempt as his jaw met Lewis’ uppercut, rendering him unconscious immediately.
Lewis then delivered two brutal ground and pound punches on the downed Blaydes to secure one of the biggest wins of his career.
Here is how their fellow fighters reacted to Lewis’ victory as well as the rest of the fights on that UFC Vegas 19 card.
Derrick Lewis knocks out Curtis Blaydes
The Black Beast!!!!!! @Thebeast_ufc has the most power ever
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 21, 2021
https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1363337756039024641
Whoa @Thebeast_ufc never doubted #UFCFightNight
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) February 21, 2021
Man I swear . Derrick Lewis power is unmatched . Dude sits down and puts you to sleep! Shesssssh #UFCVegas19
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 21, 2021
WOOOW! @Thebeast_ufc πͺπͺ @ufc #UFCVegas19
— Jairzinho 'BIGI BOY' Rozenstruik (@JairRozenstruik) February 21, 2021
Yana Kunitskaya pulls out the win against Ketlen Vieira
That was a big statement from Yana. Stifled all the BJJ and made bad positions work for her. #UFCVegas19
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) February 21, 2021
Way to pull out the victory @YanaKunitskaya1
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) February 21, 2021
Darrick Minner dominates Charles Rosa
Great fight by Minner #UFCVegas19
— TJ Laramie (@laramietj) February 21, 2021
Iβd like to see @DarrickMinner vs @DarrenElkinsMMA next #UFCVegas19
— Dennis Bermudez (@MenaceBermudez) February 21, 2021
Chris Daukaus gets TKO win over Alexey Oleynik
@ChrisDaukausMMA wow
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) February 21, 2021
Letβs Goo Philly @ChrisDaukausMMA ready to break into the Top 10 ππ»ππ»πͺπͺπͺ
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) February 21, 2021
Love the Daukus brothers. Huge win for @ChrisDaukausMMA looking sharp and fast! #UFCVegas19
— player/coach (@CMPunk) February 21, 2021
Phil Hawes outwrestles Nassourdine Imavov to a decision
Great wins by the boys tonight @JFlashGordonMMA & @FollowHIMthenme @MmaSanford pic.twitter.com/Hk8yTLsj8Z
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) February 21, 2021
Tom Aspinall submits Andrei Arlovski
https://twitter.com/thefrankmir/status/1363298591247192068
Tom with the double π€ΌββοΈ brits can wrestle #UFCVegas19
— Mike Grundy (@MGWRESTLING) February 21, 2021
That was quick td to the choke well done
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) February 21, 2021
Nice sub by Aspinall, Arlovski is a real OG!#UFCVegas19
— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) February 21, 2021