UFC Fight Night 185: Blaydes vs. Lewis | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Tito Wordsmith
- May 21
- 6 min read
Introduction
UFC Fight Night 185: Blaydes vs. Lewis took place on February 20, 2021 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas — UFC Vegas 19. The heavyweight main event was one of the most compelling style clashes the division could offer: Curtis Blaydes, the UFC’s all-time leader in heavyweight takedowns and one of the most dangerous top contenders in the division, against Derrick Lewis, the all-time UFC heavyweight knockout leader, whose entire strategy was built around surviving to land one devastating punch.
Lewis delivered. Blaydes went for a takedown in round two and Lewis timed it with a vicious uppercut that sent Blaydes crashing to the canvas, one of the KO of the Year contenders of 2021. The card also featured Chris Daukaus’ 3rd consecutive first-round finish in the UFC, Tom Aspinall’s submission of Andrei Arlovski, and an Aiemann Zahabi PoN win. Four Performance of the Night bonuses, no FotN.
Contents
Quick Stats
📅 Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021
📍 Venue: UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, USA (UFC Vegas 19)
👥 Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors — COVID-19 pandemic)
📺 Broadcast: ESPN+ (UFC on ESPN+ 43)
🏆 Main Event: Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis — Heavyweight (5 rounds)
✅ Result: Derrick Lewis def. Curtis Blaydes via KO (Uppercut) (Round 2, 1:26)
🥇 Champion: Title not on the line
The Build-Up
Curtis Blaydes entered FN 185 as one of the UFC’s most technically complete heavyweights. The all-time leader in UFC heavyweight takedowns, Blaydes had built an overwhelming wrestling-based game that had dismantled most opponents. He had five consecutive wins and was widely regarded as the number-two heavyweight contender. Derrick Lewis entered on a four-fight win streak and had just broken the UFC heavyweight KO record for the most knockouts. Everyone expected Lewis to need to survive Blaydes’ wrestling to have any chance.
The card also featured a heavyweight showcase: Chris Daukaus was attempting to become the first UFC heavyweight in recent history to win his first three bouts all in round one; Tom Aspinall was establishing himself as one of the most complete young heavyweights in the world against the experienced Andrei Arlovski; and Aiemann Zahabi — brother of legendary coach Firas Zahabi — was fighting for a much-needed win.
Main Event: Blaydes vs. Lewis
Derrick Lewis knocked out Curtis Blaydes with a vicious uppercut at 1:26 of round two in one of the most satisfying KO stories in recent UFC heavyweight history. Round one was exactly what the matchmakers expected: Blaydes controlled with his wrestling, scoring takedowns and working from top position while Lewis struggled to create any offense. It looked like a long night for The Black Beast.
In round two, Blaydes shot for another takedown. This time, Lewis timed it perfectly and landed a short, brutal uppercut on the top of Blaydes’ head as he bent down. Blaydes dropped instantly and Lewis added two finishing ground strikes. Herb Dean waved it off. The moment was one of 2021’s most celebrated finishes — a textbook demonstration of how one punch from Lewis can end any fight at any moment, regardless of what is happening on the scorecards.
Co-Main Event: Kunitskaya vs. Vieira
Yana Kunitskaya defeated Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision in the women’s bantamweight co-main. Vieira had missed weight, coming in at 138 lbs (2 over the limit), meaning the contest was held at catchweight and Vieira forfeited a portion of her purse. Kunitskaya’s striking proved decisive over three rounds, handing Vieira her first professional loss.
Full Results
Main Card
Derrick Lewis def. Curtis Blaydes — KO (Uppercut) (Round 2, 1:26) — Performance of the Night
Yana Kunitskaya def. Ketlen Vieira — Decision (Unanimous) (Round 3, 5:00) | Vieira missed weight (138 lbs)
Chris Daukaus def. Alexei Oleinik — TKO (Punches) (Round 1, 1:55) — Performance of the Night | 3rd consecutive R1 finish
Nassourdine Imavov def. Phil Hawes — Decision (Round 3)
Tom Aspinall def. Andrei Arlovski — Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) (Round 2, 1:09) — Performance of the Night
Preliminary Card
Aiemann Zahabi def. Drako Rodriguez — Finish — Performance of the Night | Rodriguez missed weight (140.5 lbs)
Drakkar Klose def. Luis Pena — Decision (Round 3)
Casey O’Neill def. Shana Dobson — Finish (Round 1)
Bonuses & Awards
No Fight of the Night bonus was awarded. Four Performance of the Night bonuses recognised the card’s best individual performances.
🏆 Performance of the Night: Derrick Lewis ($50,000) — KO of Curtis Blaydes, Round 2, 1:26
🏆 Performance of the Night: Chris Daukaus ($50,000) — TKO of Alexei Oleinik, Round 1, 1:55
🏆 Performance of the Night: Tom Aspinall ($50,000) — RNC of Andrei Arlovski, Round 2, 1:09
🏆 Performance of the Night: Aiemann Zahabi ($50,000)
Records & Milestones
🥊 Derrick Lewis’ KO of Blaydes extended his record to the most KOs in UFC heavyweight history — moving his total to 12 KO victories in the Octagon. The win also extended his unbeaten run to four consecutive fights.
🥊 Chris Daukaus became the first UFC heavyweight in recent history to win his first three UFC fights all by first-round finish, cementing him as one of the most exciting power punchers to emerge in the division.
🥊 Tom Aspinall’s submission of Andrei Arlovski was his third consecutive UFC win, confirming him as one of the most promising young heavyweights in the world. He had now submitted, TKO’d, and submitted opponents in his first three UFC appearances.
🥊 The Lewis-Blaydes finish was widely considered one of the best KO finishes of 2021, illustrating that Blaydes’ dominant wrestling game could be neutralised by the threat of one explosive counter punch.
Legacy & Impact
UFC Fight Night 185 is remembered above all for Derrick Lewis’ perfectly timed uppercut on Curtis Blaydes. In a fight that looked like it would go Blaydes’ way on points, Lewis waited for his moment — and it came in the form of a takedown attempt that ended with Blaydes unconscious on the canvas. It was a reminder of why Lewis is dangerous in every single fight, regardless of how the scorecards are looking.
The card also served as an important showcase for the next generation of heavyweight talent. Aspinall and Daukaus both delivered statement performances, confirming that the UFC’s heavyweight division was in the process of regenerating. Lewis’ win put him in line for a title shot against Stipe Miocic at UFC 265 later that year.
FAQ
How did Lewis KO Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 185?
Blaydes shot for a takedown in round two, as he had done throughout round one. Lewis timed the shot and met the top of Blaydes’ head with a short, devastatingly accurate uppercut. Blaydes dropped immediately and Lewis added two ground strikes before Herb Dean stopped the fight at 1:26 of round two. The finish was a masterclass in patient counter-punching.
What record did Lewis set with his FN 185 KO?
Lewis’ KO of Blaydes was his 12th knockout victory in the UFC, the most by any heavyweight in the promotion’s history. He passed Andrei Arlovski as the UFC’s all-time heavyweight knockout leader. His four-fight winning streak had also re-established him as the most credible challenger for the division’s title.
Who is Tom Aspinall and why was his FN 185 performance significant?
Tom Aspinall is a British heavyweight with exceptional submission skills and striking ability. His FN 185 submission of Andrei Arlovski — a former UFC Heavyweight Champion — was his third consecutive UFC win, all by finish. Aspinall went on to become one of the most dominant heavyweights in the world, winning the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2023.
What happened to Lewis after UFC Fight Night 185?
Lewis’ win earned him a UFC Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Ciryl Gane (who was holding the interim title) at UFC 265 in August 2021. Lewis lost that fight by TKO in round three. Regardless, the Blaydes win is considered one of the signature moments of his career — proving his power could neutralise even the most wrestling-dominant heavyweights in the world.
Why is Aiemann Zahabi’s name notable in MMA?
Aiemann Zahabi is the younger brother of Firas Zahabi, one of the most respected coaches in MMA and Georges St-Pierre’s longtime trainer. Aiemann made his career as a fighter independently of his brother’s fame, and his PoN win at FN 185 was a career highlight. The Zahabi family’s connection to Tristar Gym in Montreal is one of MMA’s most storied coaching legacies.
References
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