‘The Black Beast’ Derrick Lewis returned to the main event spotlight on Saturday night at UFC Sao Paulo.
Looking to build off the momentum from his spectacular first-round knockout of Marcos Rogério de Lima in July, Lewis stepped into Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Brazil for a highly anticipated showdown with streaking heavyweight standout Jailton Almeida.
With 14 straight wins, five coming under the UFC banner, ‘Malhadinho’ finds himself on the cusp of title contention. A big win over the promotion’s reigning knockout king could very well be the push Almeida needs to earn his first shot at championship gold.
Round 1
Almeida comes out with a quick push kick. Derrick Lewis fires back with a kick of his own. Almeida answers with a head kick and then immediately shoots in for a takedown, landing a textbook double leg on Lewis. Almeida immediately moves into mounting forcing Lewis to her onto his stomach. Lewis turns back as Almeida locks in an arm triangle choke. Lewis remains calm and makes the appropriate adjustments to escape the hold, but Almeida remains in mount.
Lewis looks to control the hands of Almeida to avoid any damage. Lewis again gives up his back and uses his strength to get back up, but Almeida immediately puts him back on the canvas. Lewis clings to the body of Almeida to prevent the Brazilian from unloading strikes. Almeida sets up a potential armbar but switches to an arm triangle attempt.
Almeida puts on the squeeze, but Lewis defends and once again uses his strength to break out of the hold. Almeida begins throwing strikes as the last 30 seconds of the round approaches. Lewis does a good job of controlling Almeida’s wrists and rides out the final few seconds of the round.
Round 2
Lewis comes out throwing a kick that is nowhere near the mark. Almeida times the takedown perfectly and puts Lewis on the mat a mere 45 seconds into the round. Lewis turns and gives up his back. Lewis turns over and Almeida briefly threatens an arm triangle before giving it up and taking his time holding Lewis down.
Lewis again gives up his back in an attempt to get up. Almeida holds position but offers up no offense as the clock continues to wind down. Under a minute to go, Almeida briefly teases a rear-naked choke, but Lewis quickly breaks the hold. The referee gives a warning due to Almeida’s inactivity. That encourages him to unload some ground and pound on Lewis as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
Lewis comes out with a flying knee to start the round and Almeida nearly scores a takedown, but Lewis manages to defend. Unfortunately, ‘The Black Beast’ wasn’t able to avoid the takedown for long, being put on his back 30 seconds into the round. Lewis powers himself back up and briefly gets top position, landing some solid strikes on the ground, but it’s only a matter of time before Almeida works his way back into top control, and then mounts with two minutes to go.
The referee once again warns Almeida who is content to hold position rather than attack or advance. Almeida throws a few strikes from Mount that forces Lewis to briefly turn over before turning back to his back. Lewis scrambles, forcing Almeida to move into side mount. Lewis gets back to his feet with Almeida unloading strikes until the bell sounds.
Round 4
Almeida shoots in against the fence in the opening seconds of the fourth round and once again drags Lewis to the canvas, landing in the mount. Almeida moves into side control as Lewis attempts to explode back to his feet unsuccessfully. Lewis attempts to explode again, but it only allows Almeida to move into mount.
Derrick Lewis turns over trying desperately to get back to his feet, but Almeida rolls with him, taking his back and threatening a choke. Almeida moves back into mount and then side control. Now back to full mount for Almeida. Looks attempts to scramble and gets to one knee as Almeida continues to ride his back. The round ends with Almeida in full control, but again offering little offense in the process.
Round 5
Both men come out with a show of respect to kick off the final round. Lewis moves in and throws an uppercut. Almeida ducks under and digs for the single leg. Lewis’ defense keeps him on his feet and clinches up with Almeida against the fence. Barely over a minute into the round, Almeida finally secures the takedown and finds himself in top mount once again.
After staying on his back for the majority of the round, Derrick Lewis powered his way back up, but Almeida quickly put him back on the mat and held him there through the end of the five-round affair.
Official Result: Jailton Almeida def. Derrick Lewis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)
Check Out Highlights From Derrick Lewis vs. Jailton Almeida at UFC Sao Paulo Below:
Jailton Almeida takes down Derrick Lewishttps://t.co/dObInkyjyi
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) November 5, 2023
Derrick Lewis has no respect for Jailton Almeida’s wrestling.
Look what Lewis does with his hands 🤣🤣🤣.#UFCSaoPaulo #UFCSP pic.twitter.com/XCnvw8juwO
— عمر عثمان 🇦🇫 Mike Tyson’s Translator (@OmerOsman200) November 5, 2023
Jailton Almeida emerges VICTORIOUS against Derrick Lewis 🏆
Who had it going to the scorecards? 😅#UFCSP
pic.twitter.com/bx7HE2dkWM— Combat Sports UK (@CombatSportsUK) November 5, 2023
¡SE LA LLEVA JAILTON ALMEIDA 🇧🇷 VÍA DECISIÓN UNÁNIME! #UFCSaoPaulopic.twitter.com/lSKbZlxlil
— Infinity MMA (@Infinity_MMA) November 5, 2023
