Lewis knockouts Oleinik in main event as Zalal beat Barrett at UFC Vegas 6

His second round finish over Aleksei Oleinik put Lewis at the top of the list for the most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history with 11 overall. The Houston native got the win at just 21 seconds into the second round while also securing his third straight victory in a row.

Prior to this fight, Lewis showed a new dedication to his training regimen and now it appears he’s going to hit the gym even harder before making his next appearance in the UFC.

“It feels good, especially knowing that I’m not where I need to be at,” Lewis said after having his hand raised. “I’m really not going to take no more fights until I walk around at 250 or 245 [pound] range. So I got to get down at least 15, 20 pounds. I’m not going to take no more fights at 260.”

Lewis promised a fast start after going to decision in his past two fights and he did not disappoint by firing a head kick as soon as he was released from his corner. From there, Lewis was throwing shots at Oleinik, attempting to get the knockout with every shot thrown but the Russian managed to survive the onslaught.

After battling for position against the cage, Oleinik eventually escaped from underneath Lewis and then reversed positions with a pair of takedowns. On the ground, Oleinik kept fishing for a scarf hold but Lewis stayed patient to resist the submission before the first round came to a close.

Following the one-minute break, Lewis once again came out gunning and this time he connected with a massive right hand that put Oleinik down on the ground.

He would not get up again.

Once the fight hit the floor, Lewis just bombarded Oleinik with a series of punches that chipped away at the last of the Russian’s defense before the last few shots finished the fight. As the last strikes landed, referee Herb Dean saw Oleinik fall limp, which forced him to intervene and call a stop to the contest.

Lewis immediately pounded the canvas with his signature celebration as he earned a third straight win while continuing to prove he’s one of the most terrifying heavyweights on the planet. Following the win, Lewis revealed that he’ll be taking a little bit of time off from fighting to focus on dropping a few more pounds before booking his next bout in the UFC.

“Hopefully [return] in December, some time in December,” Lewis said. “Right now, that’s all I’m focused on, trying to get my weight down.”

Lewis has already faced and defeated many of the top fighters that heavyweight has to offer but based on his latest performance, this may be the best he’s ever been.

With the win, the No. 4-ranked Lewis moves to 24-7, 1 NC. The No. 10-ranked Oleinik falls to 59-14-1.

Zalal triumphs: Featherweight prospect Youssef Zalal won his third fight of 2020, taking a shutout three-round decision over gutsy newcomer Peter Barrett with the scores were 30-26 twice and 30-27 for Zalal, now 10-2. Barrett falls to 11-4.

 Zalal opened the fight with a spinning back kick that dropped Barrett and nearly finished him, but the New Englander shook off the effects of the blow and was able to get back in the fight. And while he wasn’t in any serious danger the rest of the round, he wasn’t able to corner his foe long enough to get his own shots off.

Barrett started the second strong, but in the second minute Zalal threw him to the mat and took his back. Zalal worked hard for the choke, and while Barrett defended well, it was a dominant frame for the Morocco native.

With more solid groundwork and striking, Zalal put another round in the bank in the third, making it an easy job for the judges on this night.

Haqparast downs Munoz: Lightweight up and comer Nasrat Haqparast returned to the win column with a three-round unanimous decision over UFC debutant Alexander Munoz.

Munoz (6-1) put Haqparast on his back and against the fence to start the fight, but the Afghani prospect got to his feet quickly. A low blow by Munoz brought a brief halt to the bout, and after it resumed, Haqparast (12-3) got into a rhythm, momentarily jarring Munoz with his strikes as he held off more takedown attempts.

The wear of the fight was showing on both fighters’ face in the second round, and while Munoz was aggressive and staying in the pocket with Haqparast, it was Haqparast still landing the crisper and more telling blows, and he carried on with his solid work in the third, wrapping up the victory via identical scores of 30-27. His back against the wall after a 1-5 run in his past six fights, Chris Weidman knew it was do-or-die for him heading into the co-main event.

MMA / UFC