UFC Fight Night 166 ‘Blaydes vs. Dos Santos’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

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Round 1

Tonight’s the night for the UFC’s debut in Raleigh, North Carolina, and we begin in the featherweight division. Two UFC newcomers come head-to-head as Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Burns (9-2, 0-0 UFC) against former M-1 Global champ Landwehr (13-2, 0-0 UFC). All of Burns’ finishes have come by tapout, while all of Landwehr’s have been by strikes; the referee for this interesting style matchup is Larry Carter. There is no touch of gloves, as the two instead greet one another with jabs to the face. Burns throws a body kick, and then a high kick that makes him topple over. Burns nearly flops down to lure Landwehr, but the American is not interested and allows his opponent to return to his feet. Burns rushes in and drags Landwehr down, and immediately lands on top where he pursues a brabo choke. Landwehr flails and rolls over to try to survive, and Burns sits on top in north-south position while calmly applying the choke. The wrestler from Tennessee spins around and manages to stand back up all while in the choke, and Burns appears nonplussed. Landwehr breaks free and throws a shoulder strike a la Conor McGregor, and the commentary team takes note. Landwehr backs away and unloads some heavy leather, but Burns defends himself and fires a left knee up the middle that nails Landwehr right on the chin. Landwehr is out before he hits the ground, and just to be sure, Burns dives after him to drop punches until Carter dives in to save the unconscious fighter. What a statement performance in Burns’ debut, who earns his first career knockout in the most important fight of his career.

The Official Result

Gilbert Burns def. Nate Landwehr R1 2:43 via KO (Knee)

Round 1

At bantamweight, Welshman Johns (15-2, 3-2 UFC) looks to right the ship after suffering the first two defeats of his career against the debuting Gravely (19-5, 0-0 UFC), with the latter earning a spot on the roster for his performance on the Contender Series. Referee Wayne Spinola will oversee the action, the two opt not to touch gloves and Gravely opens up with a leg kick. The American kicks to the body and then spins around with another kick, but the impact makes him fall over. Johns dodges a punch on the way in and darts forward to set up a powerful guillotine choke. The newcomer turns out of the choke, changes levels and hits a takedown, where he immediately starts punching his downed opponent. The Welshman attempts to stand back up, and Gravely latches on to a leg with his arm, but Johns is able to stand up against the fence. Gravely throws knees, and in the process, Johns catches him slightly off-guard and hip tosses him to the ground. As Gravely returns to his feet, Johns now drops down for a double leg takedown, where he scoops up the legs and takes him down. While Gravely looks to get up again, Johns circles around quickly to jump on to the American’s back, and attempts a rear-naked choke. Gravely pulls the arm free as to not give up his neck, so Johns elects to simply crank his face before letting go to start punching. Gravely attempts to shuck him off by leaning towards the ground, but Johns cracks him with a powerful elbow and forces Gravely to reconsider, where he lands on top and flattens Gravely out. Johns begins to throw some heavy punches, and Gravely gets to his knees so Johns goes after the neck once more. Johns slowly applies the era-naked choke, goes palm-to-palm, and Gravely is in a bad way. Miraculously, the American survives to the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Johns
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johns
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Johns

Round 2

Sensing he lost the round in a big way, Gravely starts out firing with some powerful punches. Johns attempts to close the distance, and Gravely catches him with an uppercut on the way in, but the Welshman continues to press forward and pursues a takedown. This time, Gravely spins him around and pushes him against the cage wall, and blocks a throw from Johns. Gravely lifts him up and slams him down, and nearly puts himself in bad position before the two get back up. Gravely picks him up once more and slams him down, where he takes the back of Johns now. Johns defends strike attempts and is not in danger of any submission, and bucks Gravely off of him and flips him over. Johns manages to get Gravely down, and goes after Gravely’s back, but slides off in this fun grappling back-and-forth. Johns grabs tight and takes Gravely for a ride, where he leans heavily on his opponent and starts to drop down some ground-and-pound. Wise to the back take this time, Gravely forces Johns to fall off of him, and pushes Johns against the cage wall and takes him down. Johns looks to set up a guillotine choke, but there is nothing there, as the crowd begins to chant “Tony” for their American compatriot. As Johns stands up, Gravely throws a few short knees but gets spun around. The two break apart and slug it out for a moment, before Johns abandons that strategy to hit one more double leg takedown. The round ends when Gravely wings a few looping punches that fall short.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gravely
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gravely
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gravely

Round 3

Johns comes out firing, and Gravely evades the shots and swings back. Johns crashes forward to initiate the clinch, and attempts a takedown but Gravely reverses the position by throwing him over his shoulder. Johns does not panic, and instead calmly scrambles to his feet where he gets up and takes Gravely back down. The Welshman circles and takes Gravely’s back, where he sets up a body triangle and looks for that choke. Johns snakes his arm around Gravely’s chin, and is not able to get it beneath the neck but wrenches on it nevertheless. Gravely spins to his side and gets flattened out, so Johns elects to start unloading punches while Spinola tells Gravely to defend himself. Johns continues to throw punches until Gravely gives up his neck. “The Pikey” sinks in a rear-naked choke, and this time, Gravely is unable to stop it. As it cinches up, Gravely taps out, as there is no way he can get out of this bad position. With this win, Johns bounces back from two losses and a long layoff with a big win over a tough newcomer. After the fight, the two embrace, having squashed the beef that recently materialized on fight week.

The Official Result

Brett Johns def. Tony Gravely R3 2:53 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Round 1

Sticking to bantamweight but flipping to the women’s divisions, McMann (11-5, 5-5 UFC) is back for the first time since February 2018 after having her second child. She will take on “Elbow Queen” Lansberg (10-4, 4-3 UFC), who is riding some momentum with the first win streak of her Octagon career. Our referee is Larry Carter, the two women touch gloves and we are underway. Lansberg starts to walk down McMann in the early going, but the former title challenger looks to counter with a big right hand. From a great distance, McMann changes levels and takes Lansberg down quickly. She advances right to half guard, and already has set up a potential arm-triangle choke if she passes guard. McMann stays heavy as she tries to break her leg free from the guard to step over, and the crowd already grows restless just 90 seconds into the contest. McMann bails on the choke and starts slamming punches down to Lansberg’s body, and Lansberg cannot block them. The punches keep coming and they are fierce, causing Lansberg to turn a bit as McMann aims for that choke again. Lansberg pops out briefly, and McMann sets up a brabo choke to keep Lansberg grounded. Although she tries to tighten the choke, Lansberg stays composed and does not fall victim to it, so McMann abandons it and grabs the arm for a double wrist lock. Lansberg tries to sit on her arm to keep it from getting freed, and survives to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 McMann
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McMann
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 McMann

Round 2

Lansberg comes out from the break by looking to set up combinations, but is cautious to commit as to not give up another takedown. McMann is prepared to counter with that right hook, so Lansberg throws a body kick to change things up. The Olympic silver medalist in wrestling utilizes her credentials successfully, landing a takedown where she immediately returns to half guard. Lansberg appears flummoxed, as she cannot return to her feet once planted on her back. The Swede throws a few punches from her back, but McMann goes back to those vicious body shots to the same spot as the first round. Calm and collected, McMann stays busy while on top with punches and potential submission attempts, so Lansberg ties her up to hope for a standup. McMann’s activity likely too great to merit referee intervention, she steps over and avoids a sweep attempt from “Elbow Queen.” The arm-triangle choke nearly there for the taking, McMann manages to step into mount with 15 seconds remaining. Lansberg holds on for dear life to stop McMann from unleashing heavy ground-and-pound, and we hear the horn once more.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McMann
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McMann
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 McMann

Round 3

The two greet each other in the center of the cage with a glove touch, and Lansberg smiles as she tries to strike. McMann has no interest in engaging in this, and at 20 seconds into the round, lands a nearly effortless takedown. This time, McMann is in side control, and Lansberg sighs heavily. McMann pursues the arm-triangle once more, but Lansberg fights it off and in the process, gives up her back. McMann immediately gets her hooks in, and tries to flatten Lansberg out as she hammers her with punches. Lansberg throws a few surprisingly effective punches behind her head and knocks McMann’s mouthpiece out, leading Carter to pause the action and replace it. McMann postures up and starts throwing some heavy right hands while Lansberg tries to slap her hands away, but the Swede is trapped. McMann continues to punch away, taking a brief respite to go after another choke, but Lansberg protects her neck. The American, in full back control with Lansberg on her knees, continues to punch sporadically and clings to her opponent tightly. Time expires, and this dominant performance for the wrestler comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 McMann(30-25 McMann)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 McMann (30-26 McMann)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 McMann (30-26 McMann)

The Official Result

Sara McMann def. Lina Lansberg via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)

Round 1

Back to the men’s bantamweight division, Jackson (8-1, 3-2 UFC) tries to make it three in a row in the UFC when he takes on fellow once-beaten Colares (9-1, 1-1 UFC). A first for recorded walkout music, Jackson walks out to the iconic “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. It’s beautiful. Serving as the referee is Dan Miragliotta, who hopefully enjoyed the music as much as the crowd did. The two men touch gloves, and in opposite stances they paw at one another until Colares throws a low kick and then a body kick. Jackson fires back with a quick one-two, so Colares takes a moment to gather his thoughts before throwing another body kick and then an unusual one behind his legs. Colares whiffs on a head kick, Jackson throws back with punches but is more interested in the takedown. Although he sets Colares down briefly, the Brazilian returns to his feet where he nearly hits a trip. Jackson evades it and drags Colares down, while color commentator Daniel Cormier remarks that he and the bantamweight from Wisconsin have the same size hands. Jackson doggedly continues his pursuit of the takedown, and Colares takes a knee, eats a knee to the chest, and then stands back up. Jackson holds on tight, where he drags Colares down away from the fence. The Brazilian looks to threaten with a submission, so Jackson backs off and they stand back up. “Quik” pushes him against the cage, and as he considers another takedown, Colares attempts to jump guard and secure a guillotine choke. Jackson appears unconcerned, as he waits for Colares to get tired of holding himself up, and Colares lets go. Jackson again avoids a trip attempt, and makes Colares pay with a pair of elbows in the clinch and a big right hand. Jackson sees he might have him hurt, and begins chaining some ferocious punches together. Colares eats nearly a dozen punches flush, and he absorbs them all without wobbling. Colares ties him up, but Jackson shoves him off and unloads an insane barrage of punches. Colares finally appears hurt, but the horn sounds to save the Brazilian. “Cabocao” is cut up on several places on his face after the onslaught, and Jackson puts his hands on his knees after that rush.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Jackson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Jackson

Round 2

Colares comes out kicking, and Jackson steps back and fires a left hand that blasts Colares on the jaw. The Brazilian falls to his back, and “Quik” is quick to follow. Colares pursues a triangle choke and threatens from his back, so Jackson is forced to defend it and turns for the briefest of moments. Colares takes that moment to circle and take his back, although Jackson survives and stands back to his feet. Jackson still interested in the takedown, Colares jumps guard and pulls for a guillotine choke. Unlike the first round, Colares does not abandon it and instead holds tight as Jackson sets him down on the canvas. Colares tightens his grip and adjusts his position, but in that moment Jackson wrenches his neck free. Jackson stands up and his opponent follows suit, so Jackson presses the Brazilian against the fence and throws a few knees for good measure. Instead of breaking free to set up the strikes that proved greatly effective in these two rounds, Jackson scoops him up and sets him down. Colares walks up the cage to get up, and then throws Jackson down where the American lands right on his head. Unfazed, Jackson gets out of bad position, and stands back up. Jackson lifts him up and now throws his opponent on his head, but the Brazilian pops back up so Jackson opens up with a lengthy combination as if he were fighting Don Flamenco from “Punch Out.” Jackson tags him several times and busts him up, but Colares again manages to rely on his chin and not protect his jaw from strikes, leading Jackson to pressure and pull him down. The round ends with Colares pursuing a fruitless guillotine choke with no time remaining.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Jackson
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Jackson
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Jackson

Round 3

The tale of these two fighters is starkly different, with Jackson’s hands on his knees, visibly exhausted. Meanwhile, Colares is shouting and dancing and laughing, amping the crowd up. Jackson plods forward and throws a wild punch, leading the Brazilian to dodge it and nearly set up a spinning back elbow. Jackson maintains his forward movement and presses Jackson against the cage. The two push away from one another and begin to trade fiercely. This time, Colares shows a bit of success as he lands a few times, but Jackson still comes out having landed the harder, more accurate strikes. Colares goads him on, and manages to back Jackson against the cage wall where he clinches up and considers a takedown. Jackson thwarts it and hits an outside trip, where he lands in side control as Colares scrambles frantically. The Brazilian scoots his back to the fence and stands back up with it, while Jackson leans on him. Colares throws Jackson down, and briefly snatches up his back before Jackson spins out and returns standing. “Cabocao” takes a hard look at the clock, and then absorbs several punches that have him seeing stars. Another spinning back elbow attempt is well off the mark, leading Jackson to press in and go after another takedown. He lands it, and Colares grips tight for a guillotine choke. Colares grimaces as he squeezes with everything he has left, and Jackson rolls over to escape the worst part of the choke. Jackson stays calm and survives that Hail Mary choke attempt, all the while unofficially tying the record for the most takedowns landed in any UFC bantamweight fight with 11. This exciting, albeit one-sided bout is in the books, and Jackson surely impressed with this kind of performance.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-25 Jackson)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-25 Jackson)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Jackson (30-25 Jackson)

The Official Result

Montel Jackson def. Felipe Dias Colares via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

Round 1

Up now is a women’s flyweight tilt as two women in desperately in need of a win meet as Kish (6-2, 2-2 UFC) faces Czech Republic native Pudilova (8-5, 2-4 UFC), with the two combining for five consecutive defeats. Drawing the assignment is referee Kevin MacDonald, and the two decide not to touch gloves as they keep their distance in the early going. Kish looks to walk forward while Pudilova is circling away, and both miss on range-finding jabs and a front kick. Kish misses with a one-two but slaps with a leg kick. Pudilova sticks out a triple jab and catches Kish on the nose, forcing the American to shake it out. A front kick and flying knee attempt fall shy of the mark, and Kish is still trying to figure out her distance as she whiffs with a spinning back fist that is a long way away. Kish crashes in with a leg kick and the two clinch up, where Pudilova is happy to engage with several knees. Kish catches a kick and Pudilova decides to keep punching, but she is unable to land a strike like Anderson Silva when he faced James Irvin. The two break apart, and Kish rushes towards her to land a few punches. Pudilova attempts to reply with a one-two, and Kish is far away before the strikes can reach her. As soon as the crowd begins to “woo,” the two engage again. Kish races forward with punches and Pudilova lands with a few punches of her own on the way in. Clinched up again, the two trade knees before pushing away. Kish paws out a left hand before committing to a right hook, and catches Pudilova on the end of it. Like before, Pudilova strings together a triple jab, and Kish takes every one. Kish jumps in the air with a flying kick, and the Czech fighter pushes it away as she tries to strike back at her. The horn sounds to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kish

Round 2

The second frame begins as Kish stalks down Pudilova, but it is “Bullet” who throws first. Kish comes in to try to land some knees, and the two trade several knees. Kish fires a few elbows that glance off the forehead of her opponent, and Pudilova is not a fan of those so she breaks free. Kish dances around the outside, and comes in with a leg kick and a right hand, before hopping back to avoid the counter. Although she spins, Kish ends up just landing a back kick to the torso as she stops midway through the spin. Kish chases after her, and clinch again where she tries to rip a knee up the middle, but Pudilova ducks away. Kish throws a low kick, but she is the one that falls over after landing the strike. Pudilova cannot capitalize on this, but does land a solid jab when Kish gets up and comes at her. Kish lands an inside leg kick, and whiffs with a big left as Pudilova keeps working her jab. As Kish tries to set up a knee, Pudilova tags her with a straight left, forcing Kish to back off for a moment. The momentum does not get halted for long, as Kish walks towards her opponent while the crowd expresses its displeasure at this bout with relatively low striking totals. Kish lands a few more leg kicks, and her movement is irritating Pudilova. The two finally stand in front of each other and trade, as Pudilova lands a solid left while Kish spins and cracks her with a back fist. The two continue to punch until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pudilova

Round 3

This last round begins with three stiff punches from Pudilova, who lands her best strikes of the entire fight that snap Kish’s head back. Kish tries to come in with a kick, and Pudilova is prepared to counter it. Whiffing with a superman punch, Pudilova then walks backward as Kish pops in and out. Pudilova sticks her with a jab, and eats a knee as Kish comes forward. Kish goads her on, so Pudilova obliges with a solid one-two. The leg kick continues to land for Kish, and one gets the Czech fighter to react for a moment. Pudilova telegraphs a spinning kick, and Kish is well out of the way when it flies. Kish throws a few looping punches, and does not land flush. The crowd showers the two flyweights with boos, so Pudilova goes for another superman punch that misses. Kish throws a few more leg kicks, and Pudilova comes at her with lunging punches allowing Kish to nail her with a spinning back fist. With a minute remaining, things are still hanging in the balance, as neither have really established themselves 14 minutes in. Pudilova lands a sharp combination, so Kish responds with a front kick. Pudilova rushes in with a superman punch, and Kish ducks it and trips Pudilova to the ground. Pudilova begins to flail, throwing elbows and kicks from her back as Kish swings with punches. The two trade until the horn sounds, and we are now in the hands of the judges. Scores could be all over the map with this one.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish (29-28 Kish)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-10 (29-29)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kish (29-28 Kish)

The Official Result

Justine Kish def. Lucie Pudilova via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Round 1

In a featherweight affair, gritty veteran Lentz (30-10-2, 1 NC; 14-7-1, 1 NC UFC) steps in on short notice to try to hand Allen (15-1, 6-0 UFC) his first career defeat in the Las Vegas-based promotion. The third man inside the Octagon is referee Wayne Spinola. There is no glove touch, as Allen instead prefers to walk down his opponent. Lentz is the first to land, in the form of a big overhand right. Allen takes it and throws back at him, but Lentz darts out of the way and throws a head kick that gets blocked. Allen lands a one-two, and then avoids Lentz’ advancement and scores another. Allen sits down on an uppercut, but Lentz avoids it and lands a few punches before they separate. Lentz rushes forward and tries to throws a looping left hand, but Allen tags him on the forehead with a solid combination that marks up the forehead of “The Carny.” Allen dings him with a jab, but Lentz is firing back furiously and catches him with one of his punches. Allen tags him again with a left, and as Lentz blitzes him, Allen hits him with a right and pushes him away. Lentz throws a leg kick and then goes after the takedown. The Brit spins out and in the process gives up his back and a takedown for a brief moment. Lentz throws a few knees to the back of his opponent’s thigh, but is more intent on dragging the fight down, which he does again. Lentz is relentless with his takedown, and the commentary booth is squabbling over the level of wrestling in the United Kingdom. In the meantime, Allen secures separation and lands heavily on the chin. Lentz ignores the shots and walks through them before landing a few punches of his own. Lentz flips up a head kick that careens off the shoulder, and Allen then shoves away a brief takedown attempt. Allen continues to strike from a distance, and cracks Lentz on the jaw with an uppercut to stop a level change. Lentz continues to put on the pressure, and narrowly avoids another big uppercut as he comes forward. Allen may have hurt Lentz with a left hand, but Lentz wears it well as the two trade to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 2

Lentz begins the round with a leg kick, and follows that with a head kick that is well off the mark. He misses another as Lentz sticks him with the jab, and plays matador to a bull rush from Lentz. The American throws a few more loud leg kicks, and then chases after Allen with a left-right. Allen keeps his range and lands flush, before slamming a powerful left hand that staggers Lentz for a moment. “The Carny” blocks a head kick, and shakes out the cobwebs as Allen chains a few more punches together. Lentz lands with a left, and then a right that makes Allen clinch up. The quick, accurate strikes from Allen have bloodied up the nose of his adversary. In the clinch, Allen tries to work but Lentz defends himself, and as they separate Allen lands again. Allen ducks out of harm’s way as Lentz continues the pressure, and the two go punch-for-punch for a few moments. The jab from Allen is finding its home on the reddening face of Lentz, who can then evade the strikes coming abck at him. A looping left hand from Allen gets around the guard of Lentz, and makes the American stagger again. He regains his composure and the two clinch up, where they trade knees and short punches. Lentz comes forward and eats an uppercut, but is not concerned as he wades through it to land a knee, before coming close to securing a takedown. Lentz tries with all his might to land one as the round ends, and the two break apart to swing until and after the bell, but both apologize immediately after.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen

Round 3

The round begins slower than before, and Lentz is the first to land in the form of two body kicks and a low kick. The American scores a one-two, but Allen is right back at him with a pair of jabs and out of the way when the head kick comes his direction. Allen continues to flick the jab out there, and follows it with a vicious left hook that Lentz is just able to duck in time. Allen tags him, and Lentz does not let him get away with it and lands right back. A jab is followed by a powerful left from Allen, but the chin of Lentz is sturdy. Another one-two from Allen scores, and he follows that with a head kick that nearly lands cleanly. The two clinch up against the cage, and Lentz goes after a single leg takedown but the Brit stuffs it as he has multiple times throughout the bout. Allen presses Lentz against the fence, and separates with a strong left hand that Lentz practically laughs at. “Almighty” keeps a right jab in the face of his opponent, and Lentz blocks a big left coming his way. When we hear the 10-second clapper, Allen digs deep for an uppercut and then smashes a left hook on the jaw of his durable foe. The round ends, and both celebrate for a bout well-fought. Should Allen take home the win, he will increase his win streak to seven in the UFC.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Allen (30-27 Allen)

The Official Result

Arnold Allen def. Nik Lentz via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Round 1

To headline the prelims for this ESPN+ card is a matchup between two hard-hitting middleweights who are both looking to score their first win with the promotion, as Lewis (6-2, 0-2 UFC) takes on Townsend (21-9, 0-1 UFC). The Octagon ranger will be referee Kevin MacDonald. The two do not touch gloves, as instead Lewis comes out aggressively with big looping punches. Townsend backs away and tries to throw a kick, but Lewis rushes forward with some big punches before the two clinch up. Lewis gets off a decent knee before the separation, and lands a heavy leg kick that makes Townsend flinch. “The Tarantula” tries to respond with one, but nearly eats a few punches on the way in. The two swing wildly with some loud, powerful punches, and Lewis gets the better of the exchange as he lands square on the jaw. Back in the clinch, Lewis jumps in with a knee before they separate once more, and Townsend looks for a jab but it lands far short of the mark. Lewis scores with a one-two, and gets away before absorbing a strike. Another leg kick lands for Lewis, and Townsend turns away, possibly hurt. Townsend winds up and thumps Lewis with a hard uppercut, and a knee lifts Lewis off the ground before he pops back up and returns to the clinch. Lewis throws a few short knees in the clinch, and Townsend looks for a big body shot but Lewis is able to turn him around effectively. Lewis throws a left and brings up a knee, all while avoiding the counter from Townsend in a big left hook. “The Extraordinary Gentleman” catches Townsend at the end of a right, and Townsend throws back at him and nearly connects with an uppercut that would have made Dan Forden exclaim “Toasty” at the bottom right of the screen. The two clinch up and throw knees until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lewis

Round 2

Lewis opens up with perhaps his most effective strike, the leg kick. He follows that with a looping left as he fires one more leg kick, and Townsend visibly reacts as he loads up on shots. Lewis clinches once more and tries to knee his opponent in the breadbasket, but Townsend is the one that lands a few. They break apart as Lewis lands two punches, and then backs off to jab. Townsend throws a body kick and misses a high kick, so Lewis backs off and lands three punches before clinching up. The two jockey for position and throw a few short clinch strikes, and Lewis opens up with several fierce punches that force them to break apart. Townsend gets wild and throws bombs, catching Lewis briefly, but “The Extraordinary Gentleman” evades most of the harm and charges back into the clinch. Townsend lands a shoulder strike on the inside, and commentator Michael Bisping laments that “it’s all the rage.” The crowd begins to grow restless, so Townsend wriggles free and throws a left that Lewis dodges and counters. Although less impactful than before, Lewis lands another leg kick and then a left hand that causes Townsend to rush forward. Lewis takes the opportunity to clinch up again, and that’s where the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Lewis
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Lewis