UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento was a solid card from top to bottom, putting on numerous memorable matches. Fans witnessed solid knockouts, including one from a fighter known for the art. On top of that, it elevated some fighters to the next level, boosting their respective divisional rankings along the way.
With the card over with, there are some key takeaways from the fights. Some of these fights were quality matches, while others… not so much. Still, it’s worth looking at how this card panned out. Here are three takeaways from an action-packed night in St. Louis.
1.) Carlos Ulberg Continues His First-Round Dominance At UFC: Fight Night
It only took 12 seconds for Carlos Ulberg (11-1) to finish off Alonzo Menifield (15-4-1), delivering a flurry of punches to finish the fight. The Dallas native charged at Ulberg to start the fight, leaving him to simply jump out of the way. After that, it was clobberin’ time for the New Zealand native to finish the fight before fans even got to the bathroom.
CARLOS ULBERG OH MY GOD???? pic.twitter.com/nxekot1Rvb
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 12, 2024
It also showed how “Black Jag” turned a troubling situation into a positive, using Menifield’s aggression against him. With Ulberg’s in-ring intelligence and agility, he showed he’s an absolute threat in the ring. Fans (and other fighters) should watch for the New Zealand fighter, for he’s becoming a dangerous fighter.
2.) Robelis Despaigne Needs Seasoning
Robelis Despaigne (5-1) entered UFC Fight Night on Saturday, hoping for a victory to continue his streak. However, Waldo Cortes-Acosta (12-1) took control of the match, winning the match via unanimous decision. It’s a setback for the Cuban fighter, leaving him scrambling to get back in the heavyweight division.
For Despaigne, developing consistency is key to victory. He went the distance with Cortes-Acosta, with his opponent dictating the fight. He took Despaigne to the ground, working him and wearing him out. The fight was so bad that even Dana White was disappointed with the victory, calling out the heavyweight after the fight. Part of this is on “The Big Boy,” who needs to develop his in-ring technique and coordination.
3.) Derrick Lewis Does It Again At UFC Fight Night
Headlining UFC Fight Night is a good honor to obtain, especially if you’re a seasoned veteran. For Derrick Lewis (28-12), he’s breaking records left and right, with Saturday’s fight against Rodrigo Nascimento (11-2, 1 NC) giving him another opportunity for a knockout. Boy, did he make the most of that opportunity.
A simple punch in the third round sent Nascimento to the ground, notching yet another knockout for the Houston native. With the heavyweight fighter using his devastating fists to rock his opponents, he could make one more run at the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
