'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5. Curtis Blaydes (10-2-1 NC) vs. Justin Willis (8-1) (Heavyweight)
Grappler vs. Striker at Heavyweight. Doesn't that sound tantalizing enough? The potential of the co-main event of the night was self-explanatory by its tale of the tape. Blaydes was ranked #4 in the rankings while Willis stood at #10.
Trending
The fight began and It didn't take time for Blaydes to level-change and shoot for the takedown, however, Willis defended well with his back against the cage. His defense eventually crumbled as Blaydes tripped him down to the mat. It was all Blaydes from there on as he controlled the proceedings by using his frame to pin Willis down. Blaydes didn't let go of Willis' back for 2 minutes and scored points with knees and punches from the back.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
The second round began and Blaydes connected with a picture-perfect lead right to Willis' jaw. Willis wobbled as Blaydes rushed in for the kill. Willis recuperated himself but left himself open for a takedown, and Blaydes obliged by slamming him down to the ground.
Blaydes' wrestling superiority was on full display as he was glued onto the back of Willis. The knees and strikes kept coming from the back. It was a Deja vu from the first round.
Willis defended well to avoid the takedown until Blaydes took the fight to familiar territory with 50 seconds left on the clock. It was Blaydes all the way in the fight as he got one knockdown and seven takedowns throughout the fight. Utter dominance.
Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Justin Willis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Blaydes returned to the win column with a major statement. When asked about who he would like to face next, Blaydes said that he would settle for either Stipe Miocic, Junior Dos Santos or Derrick Lewis.
