The final UFC event of 2021 delivered in every aspect a fight fan could hope for. This event held 13 fights, with ten ending via stoppage, making it the third most finishes on a single fight card in modern UFC history. Join us as we discuss the results, bonuses and give some of the biggest takeaways from the action-packed card!
UFC Vegas 45: Results
Main Card
- (3) Derrick Lewis defeats (7) Chris Daukaus via KO – Round 1 (3:36)
- (10) Belal Muhammad defeats (5) Stephen Thompson via Unanimous Decision – (30-25, 30-26 x2)
- (11) Amanda Lemos defeats (12) Angela Hill via Split Decision – (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
- Ricky Simon defeats (12) Raphael Assuncao via KO – Round 2 (2:14)
- Mateusz Gamrot defeats (12) Diego Ferreira via TKO – Round 2 (3:26)
- Cub Swanson defeats Darren Elkins via TKO – Round 1 (2:12)
Prelims
- Gerald Meerschaert defeats Dustin Stoltzfus via Submission – Round 3 (2:58)
- Justin Tafa defeats Harry Hunsucker via TKO – Round 1 (1:51)
- Melissa Gatto defeats Sijara Eubanks via TKO – Round 3 (0:45)
- Charles Jourdain defeats Andre Ewell via Unanimous Decision – (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
- Raquel Pennington defeats Macy Chiasson via Submission – Round 2 (3:07)
- Don’tale Mayes defeats Josh Parisian via TKO – Round 3 (3:26)
- Jordan Leavitt defeats Matt Sayles via Submission – Round 2 (2:05)
UFC Vegas 45: Bonuses
Fight of the Night: Amanda Lemos vs Angela Hill
Performance Awards: Cub Swanson (TKO), and Melissa Gatto (TKO)
UFC Vegas 45: Takeaways
He Isn’t Going Anywhere
The UFC Vegas 45 main event was built around a staple of the heavyweight division, Derrick Lewis, and fast-rising up and comer Chris Daukaus. Two heavy hitters set to square off in the final UFC fight of 2021, and it did not disappoint. “The Black Beast” would come out on top with a first-round knockout and solidify himself atop the UFC record books with his 13th KO/TKO, the most in the company’s history.
Following his interim title fight loss to Ciryl Gane, the future looked a bit murky for Lewis, and many were shocked he accepted such a quick turnaround fight. However, he was very disappointed in his performance back at UFC 265 in August and wanted to right the ship as soon as possible. Safe to say, he did that here by putting away the “fresh blood” of the division in Daukaus.
Lewis has made it clear he is still a threat to any one of the contenders at heavyweight, and with performances like this, it is still possible that he could get one more crack at gold before it’s all said and done. Lewis has already faced so many of the ranked heavyweights, so it will be interesting to see how the UFC will look to match-make for him after such a convincing performance. Possibly a fight with former champion Stipe Miocic would interest both? After all, the two have somehow made it all the way to the top of the rankings without ever having crossed paths.
Remember the Name
Belal Muhammad lived up to his nickname and then after a one-sided showing against two-time title challenger Stephen Thompson. Muhammad would secure a 30-25 scorecard, alongside two 30-26’s. It was really a coming-out party, and “Remember the Name” now finds himself on a seven-fight unbeaten streak, with the only blemish coming in a no-contest against Leon Edwards earlier this year.
Muhammad made it very clear that he is coming for the title shot, which if it doesn’t come next, nothing else makes sense except to run it back with the aforementioned Edwards. With Muhammad’s intense pressure and pacing, matched with an ever-improving grappling skill set, he could be a tough out for some of these top five contenders moving forward.
Top Prospects Make a Statement
Ricky Simon and Matuesz Gamrot made big statements on the UFC Vegas 45 main card by disposing their opponents with second-round finishes. For Simon, he was looking to take down the seasoned veteran, Raphael Assuncao, and did so with ease. After a dominant first-round utilizing his fantastic wrestling, it was the hands of Simon that would secure him his fourth straight win with a second-round knockout. Simon will now find himself in the bantamweight rankings next week, and it may be at the perfect time as the young prospect continues to improve with each performance.
Mateusz Gamrot also secured the biggest win of his career against a top-15 lightweight, Diego Ferreira. In what was a back and forth first round, Gamrot would come out in the second, looking to finish his opponent. He would find it in the form of a brutal knee to the body that would force Ferreira to verbally tap and result in the third straight victory for the young talent from Poland. Much like Simon, Gamrot will now be in the rankings, and being that 155 pounds are the most stacked division in the sport, there are a plethora of great matchups and subsequent tests that could come next.
What were your biggest takeaways from UFC Vegas 45? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Image Credits To Embed from Getty Images
