All it took was one clear shot for Derrick Lewis to change the landscape of the UFC heavyweight division.
Lewis connected in the second round on Curtis Blaydes Saturday night, earning a victory in the main event of UFC Vegas 19.
The card took place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, streaming live on ESPN+.
With the win, Lewis positioned himself as a possible next contender to the belt. Stipe Miocic is set to defend his title against Francis Ngannou later this year.
In the co-main event, Yana Kunitskaya topped Ketlen Vieira via decision with Darrick Minner, Chris Daukau, Phil Hawes and Tom Aspinall also earning main card wins.
On the prelims, Jared Gordon, John Castaneda, Julian Erosa, Casey O’Neill, Aiemann Zahabi and Sergey Spivak were victorious.
Lewis, Daukaus, Aspinall and Zahabi all earned bonuses.
The event was hit hard by issues including just moments before a scheduled featherweight fight between Chas Skelly and Jamall Emmers. As Skelly was inside the Octagon, Emmers began suffering back spasms, cancelling the contest.
UFC Vegas 19 Results
Derrick Lewis def. Curtis Blaydes via KO (strike) at 1:26 of Round 2
Yana Kunitskaya def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Darrick Minner def. Charles Rosa via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
Chris Daukaus def. Aleksei Oleinik via TKO (strikes) at 1:55 of Round 1
Phil Hawes def. Nassourdine Imavov via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tom Aspinall def. Andrei Arlovski via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 2
Jared Gordon def. Danny Chavez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
John Castaneda def. Eddie Wineland via TKO (strikes) at 4:44 of Round 1
Julian Erosa def. Nate Landwehr via TKO (strikes) at :56 of Round 1
Casey O’Neill def. Shana Dobson via TKO (strikes) at 3:41 of Round 2
Aiemann Zahabi def. Drako Rodriguez via KO (strike) at 3:05 of Round 1
Sergey Spivak def. Jared Vanderaa via TKO (strikes) at 4:32 of Round 2