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#2 Derrick Lewis vs. Blagoy Ivanov (Heavyweight)
Derrick 'The Black Beast' Lewis is back to the MMA Octagon after knee surgery and he is supposedly equipped with an improved gas tank. However, did the massive heavyweight encounter even get out of the first round? It surely did and it ended up being a heavyweight classic!
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Round 1: The big men touched gloves and we were off!
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Ivanov took the southpaw position while Lewis looked to attack from the orthodox stance. The Black Beast attempted a couple of wild high kicks to put Ivanov off.
Lewis was the one who followed Ivanov. The former Heavyweight title contender went for a kick but Ivanov caught it, got the trip and scored a takedown.
The Sambo specialist got into the side control and tried to lock in an Americana. Lewis scrambled his way up to his feet and wildly swung his hands. He tagged Ivanov with a flurry of strikes.
The Russian was backing down either as he let his hands loose as well. This was a proper heavyweight scrap.
Lewis landed a brief takedown but he couldn't keep his opponent down for long. Back up on the feet, Lewis had pinned Ivanov up against the cage. Big elbow from the Black Beast.
The clinch continued as both heavyweights scouted for positions. Lewis landed three big shots on the break as they were back circling the centre. The final 20 seconds of the round wasn't as in-your-face as the first four minutes, however, despite the subdued end, it was a typical heavyweight first round.
Round 2: 'Let's go Lewis' chants reverberated in the arena. Ivanov slipped in a sneaky left hand before engaging in a clinch.
Lewis missed with an uppercut on the break. The Black Beast was showing a different side of his game and that was his in-fight IQ. Derrick was being patient which kept him from gassing out.
The former Heavyweight title contender waited for his opportunity and unleashed a high-volume, high-intensity combination. He rocked Ivanov, who wobbled as he retreated.
Lewis ditched his conservative gameplan and rushed in for the finish. Ivanov, though, was putting on a masterclass in toughness. The Russian just wouldn't go down.
He caught Lewis off guard and took Lewis down. The Sambo practitioner almost caught his opponent in another Americana attempt, however, Lewis stayed calm and wriggled his way out to make his way back up to his feet.
Lewis hurt him again but Ivanov wasn't quitting just yet. The Russian scored another takedown before the round came to an end. What a freaking fight! Heavyweights, eh?
Round 3: Lewis had more significant shots while Ivanov had three clean takedowns thus far. Who would the judges side on this one?
It was a cautious start as both the battling heavyweights looked spent. Ivanov jabbed his way into the guard of Lewis and clinched with the Black Beast.
He tried to use a classic Sambo trip but Lewis was just too strong. The Black Beast put a lot into an uppercut but missed. That would have taken Ivanov's head off.
Lewis caught hold of Ivanov's head and landed a few good knees. The Beast surprisingly shot for the legs and looked to take Ivanov down.
Ivanov stuffed it but Lewis sprang back up and fired off a few big right-hand shots. Baga was sent back and Lewis was the aggressor. Another brief clinch.
Lewis unleashed hell in the final ten seconds in his bid to hand Ivanov his first knockout loss. Monstrous rights and lefts connected followed by a solid knee to the face. However, Ivanov wasn't going down tonight.
While Ivanov had landed more total strikes with 59 in comparison to Lewis' 37, the Russian just had 27 significant ones when pitted against the Black Beast, who landed clean with every attack.
Result: Derrick Lewis def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
This card just kept getting better!
Lewis is back in the win column with a massive win over a competent Russian. Baga had his moments, he had his takedowns, he almost caught Lewis in a few submission attempts. However, The Black Beast let his hands do the talking.
Despite the loss, Baga proved why he is the real BMF of the night with a resilient display.
