UFC Fight Night Zagreb ‘Rothwell vs. Dos Santos’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Alessio Di Chirico vs. Bojan Velickovic

Round 1

The southpaw Velickovic goes up top with a high kick but gets caught by Di Chirico with a hooking counter. The middleweights settle into a pattern for the first half of the round, testing the range with single shots as they circle in the center of the cage. Velickovic works behind his jab, while Di Chirico swings and misses with some huge overhand rights. Both men find success with leg kicks, but it’s the backpedaling Velickovic getting the better as he draws the Italian forward. Velickovic has a high kick blocked just before the horn but follows up with a right hook to finish off the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Velickovic
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Velickovic

Round 2

Di Chirico slugs over the top with a right hand but gets tagged by Velickovic’s counter left hook. Velickovic pushes forward with another punch and hits the deck as Di Chirico’s counter puts him off balance momentarily. Di Chirico continues to chew up the lead leg of “Serbian Steel,” mixing in right hands through the middle of the round. Velickovic has had enough and opts to drive forward for a takedown, his double-leg easily flooring Di Chirico near the fence. Di Chirico quickly posts and stands, then separates from Velickovic and resumes his forward march. Di Chirico ducks under a high kick and pops Velickovic with a left hand on the turn-around. Velickovic lobs out a lazy leg kick which is snapped up by Di Chirico and converted for a late takedown. Velickovic immediately grabs a kimura from the bottom, uses it to sweep into top position and tries to force the tap, but Di Chirico is saved by the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico

Round 3

Velickovic latches on to a single-leg and drives Di Chirico against the fence, where the Italian separates from his opponent before circling back to the middle. Velickovic’s next takedown lands, but again Di Chirico is able to get back to his feet with ease. Di Chirico clips Velickovic with a left hook as they scramble up and then keeps him at range with a jab. Velickovic tries for another takedown at the two-minute mark, but Di Chirico snuffs out the attempt in the early stages. Di Chirico denies another single-leg try and zaps Velickovic with a hard hook on the break. Di Chirico is coming on strong down the stretch, forcing Velickovic to step backward with power punches. With 40 seconds on the clock, Di Chirico changes levels and plows Velickovic to the canvas. He stands over “Serbian Steel” and then comes crashing to the ground with a right hand. Velickovic scrambles up in the last 10 seconds and comes shooting for a final takedown of his own, but he’s denied by Di Chirico one last time.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico (29-28 Di Chirico)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico (29-28 Di Chirico)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Di Chirico (29-28 Di Chirico)

The Official Result

Bojan Velickovic def. Alessio Di Chirico via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Cyril Asker vs. Jared Cannonier

Round 1

Asker gets hold of Cannonier and shoves him against the fence, but the Alaskan breaks loose by threatening with clinch knees. The jab is working early for Asker, who follows up with a right hook to get Cannonier’s attention. Cannonier returns fire with a few leg kicks, a punch to the body, then backpedals as Asker steps forward. The heavyweights meet in the center and, in a flash, Cannonier floors Asker with a massive left hook. Asker hits the ground and wakes up from the flash knockout, only to be pummelled cold again by a series of thunderous elbows. Jared Cannonier picks up his first UFC victory with an absolutely brutal knockout.

The Official Result

Jared Cannonier def. Cyril Asker via KO (Punches and Elbows) R1 2:24

Lucas Martins vs. Robert Whiteford

Round 1

Whiteford strikes early with a right hook, then a jab to Martins, who works from the orthodox stance to begin. Martins establishes himself in the center of the cage and sticks a clean right hand on Whiteford to the outside. A one-two lands for the Brazilian, answered by a Whiteford leg kick. More kicks score for Whiteford as the tense exchanges continue through the middle of the round. Whiteford steps into the pocket and gets staggered by a right straight, and Martins chases him against the fence to deliver a knee. Whiteford clinches up and gives himself time to shake the cobwebs by pressing “Mineiro” against the wall in the last 30 seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Martins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Martins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Martins

Round 2

Martins once again sets up in the center of the cage and works from orthodox as he walks Whiteford around the perimeter. The featherweights exchange leg kicks, then Whiteford comes over the top with a nice right hand. Whiteford goes to the body with a shot, catches a body kick and tries to swing back while he has Martins stationary, but the Brazilian pulls away without harm. The volume is low but Martins continues to control the action through the middle of the round. Martins’ right hand is starting to land with greater frequency in the last two minutes, while Whiteford continues to throw leg kicks from the outside. After eating a right hand, Whiteford rushes forward and drives Martins to the mat with a fast double-leg takedown. Martins posts and stands, quickly scrambling up to end the round on his feet.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Martins
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Martins
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Martins

Round 3

The 145ers take up their familiar positions, with Martins in the center and Whiteford hopping around the outside. Martins slips a few times in the opening minute but Whiteford can’t capitalize on the errors. Whiteford slugs over the top with a left hand that swipes Martins’ face. There’s not much action through the first half of the final frame, drawing scattered boos from the Zagreb crowd. Whiteford shoots for a single-leg with 80 seconds on the clock and winds up holding Martins against the fence with an underhook. Martins breaks loose with 50 seconds left to fight, and now the featherweights go back to twitching and feinting around the cage. They slap at one another with a few leg kicks but there’s little else between them before the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Whiteford (29-28 Martins)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Martins (30-27 Martins)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Whiteford (29-28 Martins)

The Official Result

Lucas Martins def. Robert Whiteford via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Filip Pejic vs. Damian Stasiak

Round 1

Stasiak scores an early takedown but can’t keep the Croatian on the mat, and now Pejic turns the tables with a clinch on the fence. Stasiak reverses and works an outside trip, then advances to full mount as Pejic turns to try and escape. Pejic gives up his back and Stasiak wastes no time securing back-mount. Stasiak applies a rear-naked choke, and after a moment of hesitation, Pejic taps out.

The Official Result

Damian Stasiak def. Filip Pejic via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 2:16

Damir Hadzovic vs. Mairbek Taisumov

Round 1

Taisumov chops hard at the lead leg of Hadzovic in the opening minute, but the Bosnian stands tough and forces Taisumov to step backward with a few stiff jabs. Hadzovic dodges a spinning kick to deliver a counter right and then resumes his jabbing, keeping his hands in Taisumov’s face at the midway mark of round one. A straight right-left hook gets the attention of Taisumov, who starts blasting back with massive punches of his own. Two right hands in quick succession hurt Hadzovic, but he keeps swinging. Taisumov smells blood and chases down Hadzovic near the fence, where he blasts the “Bosnian Bomber” with a blistering uppercut. Hadzovic melts to the canvas and Taisumov strides away as referee Kevin Sataki rushes in for the stoppage.

The Official Result

Mairbek Taisumov def. Damir Hadzovic via KO (Punch) R1 3:24

Ian Entwistle vs. Alejandro Perez

Round 1

Less than a minute into the round, Entwistle complains to referee Grant Waterman that Perez’s legs are greased. Waterman checks on Perez, informs Entwistle that nothing is amiss, and now the fight can continue. Entwistle slips coming inside on Perez and gets caught in a dangerous position on his knees, where Perez connects with a right hand. “Enty” survives the attack and dives on Perez’s legs, looking for a heel hook as they grapple on the mat. Entwistle gets a leg locked up but has no angle to force the tap, and now Perez postures up to unload with punches. Entwistle just keeps clinging to the leg while Perez drops right hand after right hand on the side of the Englishman’s head. Referee Waterman is having a close look as Entwistle continues to absorb unanswered strikes. The ref stops the fight after Entwistle apparently offers a verbal submission to the punches.

The Official Result

Alejandro Perez def. Ian Entwistle via TKO (Punches) R1 4:04

Zak Cummings vs. Nicolas Dalby

Round 1

Dalby, working from the southpaw stance, misses with a whipping front kick up the center but finds the mark with a few chops to Cummings’ lead leg. More quick kicks from Dalby keep Cummings out of the pocket through the first 90 seconds of the bout, but the American eventually steps in to deliver a stiff jab. Cummings is trying to corner Dalby on the fence, but the “Sharpshooter” keeps his distance as he circles the edge of the cage. Two minutes in, Cummings zaps Dalby with a right hook-left uppercut combo that sends the Danish prospect to the floor. Cummings pounces and lands in side control on Dalby’s left, where he gets to work framing up a D’arce choke. Dalby defends well, rolling to his knees and not allowing Cummings to lock up his legs. Cummings releases what is now a modified guillotine choke, and the welterweights stand with 90 seconds on the clock. Cummings slugs down the center with a hard left straight for Dalby, who’s now in the orthodox stance. Dalby hits Cummings’ face with a looping left over the top, and Cummings answers with a noticeably harder hook.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cummings
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cummings
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cummings

Round 2

Cummings comes out more aggressive at the start of the second stanza, attacking Dalby with high kicks of his own while keeping his jab in the Danish fighter’s face. Dalby keeps a wide orthodox stance and tries to counter, but Cummings’ pressure looks to be having an effect. Dalby looks fresh, still bouncing on his toes despite a reddened face and a left eye with an enormous mouse beneath it. With 1:40 on the clock, referee Marc Goddard pauses the fight after Dalby takes an accidental finger in the eye. Dalby says he’s good to continue and the fight is back on within seconds. The offense from both men drops off in the final minute of the round, Dalby the slightly busier fighter with leg kicks while Cummings waits in the center, looking to counter.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cummings
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cummings
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cummings

Round 3

Cummings closes the distance to press Dalby against the fence with an underhook, but Dalby pushes him away after a few seconds and the welterweights return to the center of the cage. Dalby connects with a slapping right high kick but Cummings shakes it off and stands firm. Cummings presses forward and snaps back Dalby’s head with an uppercut before backing out of the pocket. Dalby checks a leg kick but slips to the ground, and now Cummings follows him to the mat. With two minutes left, Cummings sits in Dalby’s butterfly guard, burying his face in the Danish fighter’s chest. Thirty seconds later, Cummings passes to side control on Dalby’s left. Dalby rolls right and gets to his knees, then stands up and extracts his head as Cummings tries to catch him in a headlock. Back on the feet, Dalby tries to get busy with kicks and knees, but he’s soon wrapped up by Cummings and then dragged back to the floor. Cummings lands ground-and-pound while Dalby throws strikes off his back down to the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cummings (30-27 Cummings)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cummings (30-27 Cummings)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Cummings (30-27 Cummings)

The Official Result

Zak Cummings def. Nicolas Dalby via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Maryna Moroz vs. Cristina Stanciu

Round 1

Stanciu misses as she leaps at Moroz with a flying kick, but she cracks the Ukrainian with a clean right hand behind it. Stanciu muscles Moroz against the fence and works in close quarters with shoulder strikes. Moroz spins around and puts Stanciu’s back to the fence, and now the Romanian jumps guard with an arm-in guillotine choke. Moroz seems unconcerned and eventually slips her head free after a few seconds, sending Stanciu sliding to the ground. Stanciu kicks up her legs, hunting for another submission, but Moroz settles things down by kneeling in her opponent’s open guard to drop punches. Moroz goes to stand and gets popped with an upkick on the way. The strawweights are back on their feet with 1:45 on the clock; 40 seconds later, Moroz has Stanciu wrapped up and then trips her back to the ground. Moroz transitions from north-south position to back-mount when Stanciu leaves an opening. Securing the position with a body triangle, Moroz tries to soften up Stanciu with punches. Moroz can’t get the rear-naked choke, so she tries a face crank instead, but Stanciu survives to hear the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moroz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moroz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moroz

Round 2

The strawweights spend the first 90 seconds of the round circling and throwing single shots, working at a much slower pace than in the opening frame. Stanciu waits for Moroz to throw, whips a right high kick upstairs and grins at the Ukranian. Moroz keeps pumping her jab and gets a shrug from Stanciu, who is apparently unimpressed. Moroz tags her a little harder with a three-piece combination, and now Stanciu goes jumping guard again. This time, Stanciu attacks Moroz’s legs, but just as in round one, Moroz is able to work herself out of danger and attach herself to Stanciu’s back. Stanciu rolls on to her left side but is still trapped underneath Moroz, who begins thumping the UFC newcomer with elbow strikes. Stanciu escapes and jumps back to her feet with 30 seconds left, but she doesn’t look to have much left in the tank as she rides out the remainder of the round with deep breaths and little action.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Moroz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Moroz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moroz

Round 3

Stanciu lobs a few head kicks up high but it’s Moroz connecting hard with a two-piece combination up the center. Stanciu lands a good kick to the body, then one to the leg, answered by Moroz with a cracking left hand. Stanciu ties up and trips Moroz to the ground, where Moroz immediately begins working for an armbar from her back. Stanciu straddles Moroz’s head and kneels, trying to disrupt Moroz’s grip on her left arm, and in the process she ties up Moroz in a loose reverse triangle. The strawweights wind up in an awkward stalemate until Stanciu releases the triangle, and now Moroz looks to go belly-down on the armbar. Stanciu doesn’t look to be in too much danger, and she rides out the final seconds of the bout with her arm extended.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Stanciu (29-28 Moroz)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Stanciu (29-28 Moroz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Moroz (30-27 Moroz)

The Official Result

Maryna Moroz def. Cristina Stanciu via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jan Blachowicz vs. Igor Pokrajac

Round 1

Blachowicz hits an early takedown, but his progress is slowed by a tight guard from Pokrajac as they grapple near the fence. After a minute of struggle, Blachowicz breaks out and creates space to pass guard, then tries for back-mount as Pokrajac turns his back. “The Duke” stands and shakes off Blachowicz, and now it’s Pokrajac’s turn to work from top position. Pokrajac connects with hard but sporadic ground-and-pound as he maintains top control through the second half of the round. Blachowicz sits up against the fence but can’t advance any further, as Pokrajac threatens to snare his neck.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Pokrajac
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Pokrajac
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Pokrajac

Round 2

Pokrajac comes straight at Blachowicz, looking for a takedown but instead walking into an uppercut. Pokrajac’s second effort to trap Blachowicz against the fence gets him spun around, and now it’s the Polish fighter scoring with short body shots as he pins Pokrajac on the wall. Blachowicz backs up a step and unloads with a heavy body-head combination. Pokrajac withstands the assault at first, but the next wave of punches sends him stumbling backward. Blachowicz keeps throwing but eats a counter in the exchange which cuts him open. Suddenly, Pokrajac looks to be landing heavy shots, but just as he starts to get some momentum, Blachowicz changes levels and floors him with another takedown. Pokrajac rolls to his knees under fire and then scrambles back to his feet, getting slapped with a head kick on the way. Pokrajac waves for Blachowicz to come forward, and Blachowicz obliges with another clinch on the fence. Pokrajac spins him around to deliver an uppercut; Blachowicz counters with a pair of clinch knees before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz

Round 3

Blachowicz swipes the face of Pokrajac with a left hand, waits for “The Duke” to come forward again and lands a check hook. Blachowicz wants a takedown and he pins Pokrajac to the cage with a high double-leg attempt, but nothing comes of the position. Pokrajac charges at Blachowicz with a wild punch just before the Polish fighter changes levels for another takedown. With three minutes left, Blachowicz works from deep half guard on Pokrajac’s right side, keeping busy with short left hands to the Croatian’s face. Pokrajac spikes Blachowicz’s face with a couple short elbows from the bottom, but he’s soon forced back on the defensive as Blachowicz ramps up his offense a bit. Blachowicz is making things uncomfortable for Pokrajac, socking him with hammerfists in between placing a forearm across his throat. Referee Leon Roberts calls for action as the pace slows inside the final minute. Blachowicz doesn’t want to be stood up, so he maintains a slow but steady pace in the last moments.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz (29-28 Blachowicz)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz (29-28 Blachowicz)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Blachowicz (29-28 Blachowicz)

The Official Result

Jan Blachowicz def. Igor Pokrajac via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Marcin Tybura vs. Timothy Johnson

Round 1

Tybura opens with a body kick and follows with a few short right hooks as both heavyweights lean into the pocket to throw hands, nearly clashing heads in the process. The right hand continues to score for Tybura in the first two minutes of the bout, while Johnson is pulling up short with straight punches from range. The next time Tybura steps inside, Johnson wraps him up with a bodylock and shoves him against the fence. Johnson is putting all of his weight on Tybura, who can’t find an angle to escape but does pop the American with some short right hands. After a minute of inactivity, referee Grant Waterman resets the heavyweights in the middle of the cage. Tybura finds the mark with his right hand, ducks under a straight punch from Johnson and feeds him another. Johnson’s punches are looking increasingly desperate as he loads up on several big right hands which don’t come close to catching Tybura.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tybura

Round 2

Johnson puts pressure on Tybura early in the round and sticks the former M-1 champ with a straight right hand that cuts him along the hairline. Johnson’s clinch on the fence is reversed, and now it’s Tybura working knees to the American’s legs from the outside position. Tybura drops to his knees and works for a single-leg, but Johnson underhooks his opponent’s arms and peels him away. Tybura’s face is streaked with blood as the big men separate to resume striking. Tybura slides backward and pops Johnson with a jab, then a kick to the body. The southpaw Johnson keeps coming forward, still jabbing but largely pulling up short with his punches. Tybura switches stances as he steps back to dodges more Johnson punches. Suddenly, with 15 seconds on the clock, Johnson catches Tybura with a right hand near the fence. Johnson tries to follow up but only flails with punches as Tybura covers up to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Johnson
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Johnson

Round 3

Tybura ducks under a punch and drives Johnson to the floor with a double-leg takedown. Johnson rolls to his knees and stalls there as Tybura attempts to secure back-mount, now about one minute into the round. Johnson’s patience pays off as he slowly works his way clear of Tybura, then bursts back to his feet. Tybura shoots again, gets stood up and delivers a knee to Johnson’s gut before being pushed against the fence. Inside the final three minutes, Johnson seems content to hold Tybura against the cage. It’s not enough for referee Waterman, who separates the fighters with just over two minutes remaining. Tybura charges forward and hits Johnson with a high kick, then looks for a clinch of his own. Johnson reverses the tie-up almost immediately, and now they’re back to the same position with 90 seconds on the clock. With his back to the fence, Tybura lands a knee to the body and some short right hands. The heavyweights split inside the final minute and Tybura presses forward, sticking more punches on Johnson’s now swollen left eye. There’s no urgency from either man in the closing moments, and this one will be decided by the judges.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tybura (29-28 Johnson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Tybura (29-28 Johnson)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Tybura (29-28 Tybura)

The Official Result

Timothy Johnson def. Marcin Tybura via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Francis Ngannou vs. Curtis Blaydes

Round 1

Ngannou catches Blaydes with a looping right hand on the ear and then shuts down the American’s first takedown attempt. The heavyweights wind up clinching on the fence, where Ngannou spins to take the outside position and then separates to step back to the center. Ngannou swings a few murderous counter uppercuts but can’t find the mark on Blaydes’ chin. A straight left momentarily staggers Blaydes, but he comes straight back to continue trading at the midway mark of the opening round. Ngannou connects with a counter left hook that drops Blaydes to the mat, but the American springs back to his feet and attempts another takedown. Ngannou is too strong and muscles his way out of the clinch again. With 75 seconds on the clock, Blaydes shoots and completes his first takedown, planting Ngannou on his seat at the base of the fence. Ngannou is back on his feet with 30 seconds left. He pops Blaydes with a pair of punches, takes a jab in return and finishes the round by tagging Blaydes with a left hand.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ngannou
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ngannou
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ngannou

Round 2

Ngannou sits back and waits to counter, but Blaydes beats him to the punch with a clean jab. Blaydes steps into the pocket and eats a left hook which has his eye swollen shut almost instantly. Ngannou shuts down another takedown attempt, but Blaydes continues to pressure and gets him down after a few more tries. Quickly back on his feet is Ngannou to continue striking with Blaydes, whose right eye is completely closed now. Blaydes his keeping his right hand high on his blind side, so Ngannou sends a straight right hand down the center. Another right hand sends Blaydes shooting for a takedown, but again he’s denied by Ngannou.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ngannou
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Ngannou
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ngannou

Between rounds, the cageside physician is called to check on Curtis Blaydes’ swollen right eye. The doctor informs referee Kevin Sataki that Blaydes cannot see out of the eye, and after some discussion, the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Francis Ngannou def. Curtis Blaydes via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R2 5:00

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Derrick Lewis

Round 1

Gonzaga deflects a right high kick, backs up to the fence and then changes levels to try an early takedown on the “Black Beast.” Lewis stays standing for a few seconds but is soon tripped to the canvas by the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Lewis rolls to his knees and Gonzaga tries to jump on his back, but Lewis is able to scramble up and shake him off. Gonzaga tries to keep Lewis pinned against the cage; after 30 seconds of inactivity, however, referee Marc Goddard splits up the big men. Gonzaga waits for Lewis to throw, counters him with a left hand and clinches again with 80 seconds left in round one. Gonzaga is bleeding from his nose, the result of an early punch from Lewis, but it doesn’t seem to be affecting “Napao” so far. Lewis steps out to the center and then walks forward on Gonzaga with a straight right hand. The first punch only grazes the Brazilian, but a follow-up right rattles Gonzaga’s head and sends him slumping to the canvas, out cold. Lewis moves in to pounce, but this one is over and referee Goddard knows it. Derrick Lewis notches another impressive knockout inside the Octagon.

The Official Result

Derrick Lewis def. Gabriel Gonzaga via KO (Punches) R1 4:48

Ben Rothwell vs. Junior dos Santos

Round 1

After a tense opening minute in which Rothwell walks down dos Santos in a wide stance, “Cigano” leans in and touches the American with a hard punch to the gut. Dos Santos comes away from the next exchange wiping at his eye, but referee Leon Roberts tells the heavyweights to fight on, and they resume circling the cage. Dos Santos delivers another pair of body blows as he continues to step back, looking to counterstrike. Rothwell sneaks in a few right hands, but dos Santos is winning the volume battle as the big men box in the latter half of the round. Cigano keeps his right hand cocked and mixes up straight shots to Rothwell’s body and head.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Santos

Round 2

Rothwell steps into the pocket with a big right hand and gets picked off by dos Santos’ counter, then slips to the ground. He stands up and continues walking after the Brazilian, delivering a hard leg kick to Cigano’s lead stem. Dos Santos continues to do work on Rothwell’s body as he circles the perimeter, drawing “Big Ben” forward. Dos Santos sends three punches upstairs in quick succession; Rothwell eats them and keeps walking straight at the former champ. A left hook from dos Santos opens a cut on the bridge of Rothwell’s nose. Dos Santos lands a straight left and gets a finger in his right eye from Rothwell’s outstretched hand. This time, referee Roberts sees the infraction, gives dos Santos time to recover and warns Rothwell for the foul. A front kick from dos Santos backs up Rothwell a few paces, but he’s soon on the march again, walking into a left straight from “JDS.” Dos Santos tags Rothwell with a straight left, an overhand right, then finishes the round with a push kick that sends the Wisconsinite to his posterior.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Santos

Round 3

Dos Santos goes back to the body early in the third frame, whacking Rothwell’s ribs with right hooks and straights. Rothwell continues to walk after dos Santos but his offense has dropped off sharply as he tries to navigate the distance against the smaller, quicker man. Cigano goes up top with a stinging left hand, further swelling Rothwell’s rapidly closing right eye. The final minute of the round sees dos Santos mix up his attacks with a pair of spinning kicks to Rothwell’s midsection.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Santos

Round 4

Dos Santos rips into the body of Rothwell with a right hand but gets caught near the fence by the American’s looping left hand. A body kick scores for Cigano, then another left hand to the gut. Dos Santos’ right hands to the body get Rothwell to lean over, allowing the Brazilian to send a right hook to the head. Rothwell gets off one of his better shots of the fight, a left hand to dos Santos’ face, but the Brazilian simply circles out and continues backpedaling. Rothwell eats more jabs as he walks forward, then swings a right hand and gets sidestepped. Dos Santos gives a wry smile as he goes body-head with his punches and slips Rothwell’s return shots. Rothwell ends an otherwise rough round on a positive note, hitting dos Santos with a hard leg kick before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 dos Santos
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Santos

Round 5

Rothwell yelps as he steps forward and swings punches on dos Santos, who angles off and smiles again before delivering a punch to Rothwell’s chest. Dos Santos keeps his punching combinations pumping, sliding back and constantly forcing Rothwell to walk into jabs. One punch gets Rothwell leaning over, and dos Santos capitalizes on the opening with a step-in knee. Rothwell lands a leg kick but can’t find the mark with much else. One flailing combination is sidestepped by dos Santos, leaving Rothwell to crash head-first into the fence. Inside the final minute, dos Santos comes over the top with a hard right hand, then one to the body and a kick to the ribs. Rothwell’s final punch comes after the horn, but dos Santos doesn’t mind and the heavyweights embrace after time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 dos Santos (50-45 dos Santos)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 dos Santos (50-45 dos Santos)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 dos Santos (50-45 dos Santos)

The Official Result

Junior dos Santos def. Ben Rothwell via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) R5 5:00