Derrick Lewis Edges Roy Nelson In Las Vegas
“Don’t blink.”
You probably heard those two words numerous times in the buildup to UFC Fight Night 90’s co-main event. That’s because it featured two heavyweight brutes known for their punching power. The two monsters were Roy Nelson and Derrick Lewis. They had 27 knockouts combined going into their tilt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The fight didn’t end in a knockout, but it ended up being the biggest win in the career of “The Black Beast.”
Lewis threw a couple of kicks at the start and connected with a knee to the body. Nelson pushed him against the fence and landed some knees to the legs. “Big Country” kept hammering away with knees until referee “Big” John McCarthy separated them. “The Black Beast” threw some bombs but Nelson wrapped his arms around his opponent and achieved a takedown. Back on the feet, Lewis sent “Big Country” stumbling back with a right hand after landing some kicks. Nelson quickly pushed Lewis back to the fence. “The Black Beast” kept firing away with some of his shots landing, but Nelson earned another takedown before the round ended.
Lewis attacked the body of “Big Country” to get round two underway. He had his high kick blocked. The action certainly slowed down. Nelson couldn’t find a home for his overhand. “The Black Beast” found himself on his back once again, this time Nelson went to side control. Lewis got back to his feet, but was dumped back down before quickly getting back up. Nelson made sure to bring his opponent back down and returned to side control. The round ended with Lewis swinging at air.
Nelson ducked under a punch and landed a counter right hand. Lewis threw out a flying knee, but as a result Nelson shoved him right back to the fence. “Big Country” earned his sixth takedown. Lewis stood back up and landed some elbows, but was dumped back down. The two were separated and Lewis landed a kick to the body. “Big Country” covered up and avoided damage. He pushed his opponent to the fence yet again. Nelson was popped with a massive right hand at the end of the round, but he stood standing and stuck his tongue out.
Despite his efforts to grind it out, Nelson could not earn a decision win as two of the three judges scored the fight for “The Black Beast.”
Final Result: Derrick Lewis def. Roy Nelson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
