Following his first defeat earlier this year, Derrick Lewis returned to the UFC action but failed to bounce back into the win column against Sergei Pavlovich, the number 11-ranked contender, on the main card of UFC 277.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Two titles (women’s bantamweight and interim flyweight) were at stake during the pay-per-view event inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, in the main event and co-main event, respectively.
However, Lewis vs. Pavlovich was also a much-anticipated bout on the card. ‘The Black Beast’ entered the bout with more experience (26-9) than the Russian who came in with a (15-1) record in the flight.
Derrick Lewis reacts after Sergei Pavlovich gets the TKO a minute into the first round at #UFC277 pic.twitter.com/kvUJE9aF2I
— ESPN (@espn) July 31, 2022
Official results: Sergei Pavlovich defeats Derrick Lewis via a knockout.
But a major advantage that Pavlovich had in this fight was his reach, and he made full use of it. Just a few seconds into the bout, the Russian-born fighter landed heavy shots on Lewis and forced the referee to stop the fight early.
However, fans seemingly didn’t look happy with the end results of the bout. Even Lewis protested against the conclusion and commentator Joe Rogan had his back as he said, “I am with him,” while commentating.
UFC fans react to the early stoppage of the heavyweight showdown between Derrick Lewis and Sergei Pavlovich
The referee stopped the heavyweight contest between ‘The Black Beast’ and Sergei Pavlovich early in the first round. However, many fans weren’t pleased with the outcome. Here’s how fans and UFC fighters reacted to it.
Possibly the worst stoppage of all time.
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey) July 31, 2022
That's definitely an early stoppage
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 31, 2022
This was a bad stoppage!!!!
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 31, 2022
It's Derrick Lewis. This is what he does. Come on, man. Awful. #UFC277
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) July 31, 2022
Faceplant there. Can't blame Big Dan tbh. Lewis just woke up very quick again. Stoppage looks very bad….but I understand Miragliotta here. #UFC277
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) July 31, 2022
Yeah get all this bs reffing out of y’all system before next week!!!#UFC277
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) July 31, 2022
Lewis popped up and was pretty lucid. Definitely seemed like he could have been given some more leeway, especially given his durable history. #UFC277
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) July 31, 2022
That was weak as hell. Let em fight ref!!
— Kevin Lee MTP (@MoTownPhenom) July 31, 2022
Ok, now I hate that stoppage.
Also, no more Texas for Lewis. Enough.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 31, 2022
Early stoppage !!! Have to give the fighter a chance to get back in the fight #UFC277
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) July 31, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Russian heavyweight improved his undefeated streak to four fights with this victory. He might now leapfrog the division as well with a win over a top contender.
Meanwhile, ‘The Black Beast’ was already coming on a back of a loss in this bout. Unfortunately, he is now on a two-fight skid. Despite the losses, Lewis is one of the finest strikers in the heavyweight division who has defeated some of the notable names in the promotion.
Therefore, fans will still be excited to see what UFC has to do next with the power puncher.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you guys think should be next for Lewis? What is your take on the end results of the bout? Let us know in the comments section below.
WATCH THIS STORY: Conor McGregor vs. Sebastian Vettel’s Net Worth Comparison: Is the Irishman Richer Than The German F1 Champion?
