Stats And Video Highlights From Derrick Lewis’ Record-Setting Knockout Win At UFC On ESPN+ 32

Derrick Lewis and Aleksei Oleinik were both on two-fight winning streaks heading into Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 32 main event. Lewis, who entered the contest as the No. 4 ranked fighter in the official UFC heavyweight rankings, was favored over Oleinik, who checked in at No. 10 in those rankings.

Lewis started the fight fast with a flying knee, but before long he found himself fighting off one of Oleinik’s patented chokes. Lewis admitted that he thought about tapping, but he refused to become Oleinik’s 47th submission victory. Once Lewis decided he would not go out via submission he lasted out the round.

Lewis did not know that Oleinik usually spends the time between rounds on his back with his feet against the cage. When the former UFC heavyweight title challenger saw that, he thought Oleinik had decided not to answer the bell for the second round. When Oleinik stood to fight in the second stanza, Lewis said he was inspired by what he saw between rounds.

With that dose of encouragement coursing through him, Lewis opened the second round with another flying knee and a litany of punches. Lewis’ punches ended the fight. All but one of the strikes Lewis threw in the 21 seconds of the second round landed.

With the knockout win, Lewis landed at the top of the UFC heavyweight record book with his 11th knockout win. He also shares the all-time UFC record with Anderson Silva, Matt Brown, Anthony Johnson and Thiago Santos.

Oleinik’s loss marked the fourth time he had won two-straight fights and failed to make it to three straight. Three times Oleinik’s UFC winning streaks have ended with knockout losses.

After the fight Lewis said he hopes to stay out of the octagon until December so he can concentrate on dropping 15-20 pounds so he can compete at a more comfortable weight.

UFC on ESPN+ 32 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire fight card streamed on ESPN+. ESPN also broadcast the prelims.