UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento brought the Octagon back to St. Louis, Missouri on May 11, 2024, for the first time in over six years. Held at the Enterprise Center, this ESPN-televised event featured 14 thrilling fights with three hometown heroes delivering memorable performances for their passionate local crowd. Derrick Lewis added to his legendary knockout record in the main event, while St. Louis natives Joaquin Buckley and Sean Woodson both earned impressive victories.
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UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento Main Card Results
Main Event: Derrick Lewis vs Rodrigo Nascimento - Heavyweight
Winner: Derrick Lewis (United States) via TKO (Punches) at 0:49 of Round 3
The UFC's all-time knockout king Derrick Lewis extended his record to 15 career knockouts at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento with a third-round stoppage of Brazilian contender Rodrigo Nascimento. Fighting as the No. 12 ranked heavyweight against No. 15 Nascimento, Lewis promised surprises and delivered them in unexpected fashion.
"The Black Beast" showcased an uncharacteristic wrestling attack early in the fight, surprising fans and commentators with a successful takedown off a head kick in the opening round. Nascimento immediately scrambled to his feet and pushed Lewis to the fence, where the two traded positions in the clinch. Lewis briefly landed a right hand, but Nascimento responded with his own takedown, achieving dominant control on the ground. However, Lewis reversed position in the final 30 seconds to end the round on top.
The second round followed a similar pattern, with both heavyweights trading control and Nascimento again finding success with his grappling. But the third round belonged entirely to Lewis. The Houston native began landing his trademark power shots, and at just 49 seconds into the frame, Lewis unleashed a devastating right hand that sent Nascimento crashing to the canvas. Referee Jason Herzog immediately stepped in as Lewis celebrated his return to the win column.
Post-fight, Lewis expressed frustration about being scheduled for another five-round main event, stating he had publicly requested multiple times not to be booked in headlining fights and even jokingly offered the main event spot to co-main eventer Joaquin Buckley.
Co-Main Event: Joaquin Buckley vs Nursulton Ruziboev - Welterweight
Winner: Joaquin Buckley (United States) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
St. Louis native Joaquin Buckley thrilled his hometown crowd at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento with a dominant unanimous decision victory over towering Uzbekistan fighter Nursulton Ruziboev. The No. 11 ranked welterweight improved to 19-6 with a performance that showcased his wrestling prowess against a significant height disadvantage.
Buckley, standing 5'10", effectively neutralized the 6'5" Ruziboev's reach advantage just before the two-minute mark of the first round with an explosive takedown that ignited the capacity crowd at Enterprise Center. The St. Louis crowd roared throughout the contest as Buckley consistently found success with his aggressive approach.
The most dramatic moment came when Buckley scored a spectacular knockdown after Ruziboev attempted a flying knee. The hometown fighter capitalized immediately, raining down strikes before Ruziboev managed to recover. In the final round, Buckley called for action and delivered exactly what the fans wanted, mixing powerful hooks with tactical wrestling to seal the victory.
All three judges scored the fight decisively for Buckley (30-27, 30-26, 29-27), cementing his position as a legitimate welterweight contender. Ruziboev dropped to 34-9-2 with 2 no contests. Buckley had called his shot after his previous victory over Vicente Luque, demanding UFC President Dana White put him on the St. Louis card, and he delivered in spectacular fashion.
Carlos Ulberg vs Alonzo Menifield - Light Heavyweight
Winner: Carlos Ulberg (New Zealand) via KO (Punches) at 0:12 of Round 1
In one of the fastest finishes of 2024, New Zealand's Carlos Ulberg delivered a stunning 12-second knockout of American light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield. The bout, originally scheduled for March's UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs Fiorot, had been rescheduled to UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento for undisclosed reasons.
Ulberg wasted absolutely no time, immediately pressuring forward at the opening bell. Within seconds, the City Kickboxing product landed a devastating combination that sent the No. 11 ranked Menifield crashing to the canvas. The finish was so quick that many fans were still finding their seats when referee Jason Herzog waved off the contest.
The spectacular knockout at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento extended Ulberg's winning streak and announced him as a serious threat in the stacked light heavyweight division. Menifield, who entered riding momentum, had no opportunity to implement his game plan against the explosive New Zealander.
Diego Ferreira vs Mateusz Rębecki - Lightweight
Winner: Diego Ferreira (Brazil) via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:51 of Round 3
Brazilian veteran Diego Ferreira scored a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Poland's Mateusz Rębecki, stopping the previously surging prospect with brutal ground-and-pound in the final seconds of the third round.
Rębecki entered the contest riding a remarkable 16-fight winning streak dating back nearly a decade. The 31-year-old Polish fighter had impressed in his rookie UFC campaign with three consecutive victories, most recently dispatching short-notice replacement Roosevelt Roberts at UFC 295. The Dana White's Contender Series alumnus appeared poised to continue his ascent toward the rankings.
However, Ferreira, despite being listed as a massive +320 underdog, refused to cooperate with the script. The tenured Brazilian veteran used his experience and grappling prowess to weather Rębecki's early offense. In the third round, Ferreira secured a dominant position and unleashed a relentless assault of hammer fists and elbows. With just nine seconds remaining in the fight, referee Mike Beltran intervened to save Rębecki from further punishment at the 4:51 mark.
The victory at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento marked a triumphant return for Ferreira after a lengthy layoff and proved that experience and determination can overcome youth and momentum.
Sean Woodson vs Alex Caceres - Featherweight
Winner: Sean Woodson (United States) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
St. Louis native Sean Woodson gave his hometown fans another reason to celebrate at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento, extending his winning streak to five consecutive victories with a unanimous decision over veteran Alex Caceres. The Parkway North High School graduate improved to 12-1-1 with the performance.
Woodson, known as "The Sniper," used his considerable height and reach advantages to control range throughout the 15-minute contest. The fight was exactly what fans expected from two striking specialists, with both competitors keeping the action on the feet and delivering an entertaining stand-up battle.
Caceres, a Miami native who has been competing in the UFC since 2011, brought his signature unorthodox "funky and weird style" to the Octagon, but Woodson's disciplined boxing approach proved more effective. "The Sniper" consistently landed the cleaner, more significant strikes while Caceres relied more heavily on kicks that couldn't overcome Woodson's tactical advantages.
All three judges scored the bout for Woodson, with one judge awarding him all three rounds (30-27) while the other two gave him two rounds each (29-28 on both cards). The victory improved Woodson's professional record to 12-1-1 while Caceres fell to 21-15, suffering his second consecutive loss and facing an uncertain future in the competitive featherweight division.
For Woodson, fighting in front of his hometown crowd was a dream come true, and he called for bigger opportunities following his fifth straight win.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Robelis Despaigne - Heavyweight
Winner: Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Dominican Republic) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Dominican heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta thoroughly dismantled the hype surrounding Cuban knockout artist Robelis Despaigne, handing the previously unbeaten prospect his first professional defeat via unanimous decision.
Despaigne entered the contest at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento with immense hype after his UFC debut featured an apotheotic 18-second knockout that left fans and pundits predicting stardom. The towering Cuban immediately looked to replicate that success, cornering Cortes-Acosta and hunting for another highlight-reel finish.
However, "Salsa Boy" Cortes-Acosta demonstrated why mixed martial arts requires more than just knockout power. The 32-year-old Dominican executed a perfect game plan, weathering Despaigne's early blitz before taking the fight to the ground. Once there, Cortes-Acosta dominated completely, pinning the Cuban giant to the mat and punishing him with grinding ground-and-pound.
Despaigne's lack of grappling experience and cardio became painfully evident as the fight progressed. By the third round, the once-fearsome striker appeared exhausted and unable to mount any significant offense. Cortes-Acosta continued his tactical assault, controlling position and landing consistent damage until the final bell.
All three judges scored the fight decisively for Cortes-Acosta (30-27, 30-27, 30-26), improving his UFC record to 5-1 and overall record to 12-1. Despaigne fell to 5-1, learning a harsh lesson about the depth and skill required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento Preliminary Card Results
Chase Hooper vs Viacheslav Borshchev - Lightweight
Winner: Chase Hooper (United States) via Submission (D'Arce Choke) at 3:00 of Round 2
In a classic striker-versus-grappler matchup, American submission specialist Chase Hooper shocked everyone by not only surviving against superior striker Viacheslav Borshchev of Russia, but dominating him from start to finish.
Hooper, viewed by most as having a significant striking disadvantage, stunned observers by scoring his first career knockdown. "The Dream" landed a perfectly timed left hand early in the first round that sent Borshchev crashing to the canvas. The 24-year-old immediately pounced, spending several minutes landing devastating ground-and-pound while threatening multiple submissions.
Borshchev, known as "Slava Claus," showed incredible toughness by surviving the opening round despite absorbing tremendous damage. The 32-year-old Russian came into the fight with zero submission losses on his record, having relied exclusively on his striking to compile a 7-3-1 UFC record.
However, the second round proved his undoing. Hooper continued his dominant performance, dragging Borshchev to the mat and systematically working for submissions. At the 3:00 mark of round two, Hooper locked in a tight D'Arce choke that forced Borshchev to tap—though the Russian initially disputed tapping, replays clearly showed his submission.
The victory improved Hooper to 14-3-1 overall and 6-3 in the UFC, extending his perfect record since moving up to lightweight at 3-0. Post-fight, Hooper called out popular British fighter Paddy Pimblett, looking to continue his climb up the lightweight rankings.
Esteban Ribovics vs Terrance McKinney - Lightweight
Winner: Esteban Ribovics (Argentina) via KO (Head Kick) at 0:37 of Round 1
The most violent and shortest fight of UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento delivered exactly what was promised. Argentina's Esteban Ribovics destroyed American finisher Terrance McKinney with a monstrous head kick knockout in just 37 seconds, leaving McKinney unconscious with a smile frozen on his face.
Both fighters entered with devastating finishing rates—McKinney sporting a perfect 100% stoppage rate with eight submissions and seven knockouts, while Ribovics held a 92% finish rate with six knockouts and five submissions. Analysts predicted fireworks, and Ribovics delivered them immediately.
The Argentine striker wasted no time, pressuring forward with bad intentions from the opening bell. McKinney, known as "T.Wrecks," tried to establish his rhythm, but Ribovics unleashed a perfectly timed head kick that connected flush on McKinney's temple. The American crashed to the canvas, briefly unconscious with an eerie smile on his face that quickly went viral on social media.
The spectacular knockout improved Ribovics to 13-1 overall, with his only career loss coming years earlier. McKinney dropped to 15-7, suffering a devastating setback after entering with momentum. The finish added to a night of explosive action and showcased why lightweight remains one of the UFC's most exciting divisions.
Tabatha Ricci vs Tecia Pennington - Women's Strawweight
Winner: Tabatha Ricci (Brazil) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Brazilian strawweight Tabatha Ricci returned to the win column at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento with a hard-fought split decision victory over American veteran Tecia Pennington in a closely contested grappling-heavy affair.
Ricci, known as "Baby Shark," came in looking to rebound from a split decision loss to Loopy Godinez at UFC 295. Pennington was making her first appearance in over two years, having stepped away to welcome her first child with her wife, UFC bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington.
The 22-year-old Brazilian immediately established her game plan, pressuring forward and hunting for takedowns. While unable to secure many successful takedowns, Ricci controlled Pennington against the cage for significant portions of the fight, grinding on the American and scoring with clinch work.
Pennington showed no signs of ring rust in the striking exchanges, demonstrating her trademark speed and staying a step ahead when the fight remained in open space. However, Ricci's relentless pressure and cage control proved decisive on two of the three judges' scorecards.
After three competitive rounds, the judges returned a split decision: 29-28 for Ricci, 28-29 for Pennington, and 29-28 for Ricci. The victory improved Ricci to 10-2 overall and gave her five wins in her last six contests. Pennington fell to 13-7, suffering her second consecutive defeat in her return to active competition.
Trey Waters vs Billy Goff - Welterweight
Winner: Trey Waters (United States) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Florida's Trey Waters and Billy Goff delivered the Fight of the Night, trading haymakers for three full rounds in an all-action welterweight war that set the bar high for the evening.
Both fighters, products of Dana White's Contender Series, came to St. Louis looking to build momentum. Goff, a proven finisher who had rallied from early adversity to secure first-round stoppages in both his Contender Series appearance and UFC debut, pushed forward aggressively throughout the contest.
Waters, standing taller with superior reach, repeatedly tagged Goff on his entries, landing clean strikes as the aggressive Goff marched forward. Despite absorbing significant damage, Goff secured several takedowns when he managed to close the distance, though Waters quickly returned to his feet each time.
A controversial moment occurred when Waters landed a knee to Goff's head while Goff was grounded—an illegal strike that referee Josh Stewart somehow missed. Despite the foul going unpenalized, Goff continued fighting and both men traded with reckless abandon in the closing moments, each getting jarred by return fire.
All three judges scored the bout for Waters (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), improving his record to 9-1 while Goff dropped to 9-3. The performance earned both fighters a well-deserved Fight of the Night bonus for their thrilling performance.
Charles Johnson vs Jake Hadley - Flyweight
Winner: Charles Johnson (United States) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
American flyweight Charles Johnson edged out England's Jake Hadley in a closely contested three-round battle that went to the judges' scorecards.
The technical 125-pound contest featured both fighters looking to establish their striking and grappling, with Johnson's experience and consistency proving the difference. While neither fighter was able to secure a dominant position or threaten a finish, Johnson controlled the pace and landed the cleaner, more significant strikes throughout the 15 minutes.
All three judges saw the fight identically, scoring all three rounds 29-28 for Johnson. The victory improved Johnson's record to 15-6 while Hadley fell to 10-3, suffering his second loss in the UFC's ultra-competitive flyweight division.
Veronica Hardy vs JJ Aldrich - Women's Flyweight
Winner: Veronica Hardy (United States) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Veronica Hardy extended her winning streak to three consecutive victories with a unanimous decision over fellow American JJ Aldrich in the evening's opening contest.
Hardy had returned to the Octagon in March 2023 after a three-year hiatus, and has looked impressive since coming back. The 31-year-old Aldrich entered riding her own two-fight winning streak after rebounding from an early 2023 loss to Ariane Da Silva.
Over three competitive rounds, Hardy's fresher legs and improved striking proved decisive. While Aldrich showed her veteran savvy and grappling ability, Hardy was able to outwork her opponent consistently to secure all three judges' scorecards at 29-28.
The victory improved Hardy to 9-4-1 overall, while Aldrich saw her winning streak snapped, dropping to 13-7 in a setback for the veteran flyweight.
Fight Cancellations
Jared Gooden vs Kevin Jousset - Welterweight
This welterweight bout was scheduled for the preliminary card but was canceled on weigh-in day for undisclosed reasons. Jared Gooden had been looking to build on a December submission victory over Wellington Turman, while French fighter Jousset, representing the City Kickboxing team, had entered on a two-fight winning streak.
A lightweight bout between Matt Frevola and Michael Johnson was also originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento but was scrapped earlier when Johnson withdrew from the contest.
Performance Bonuses
The UFC awarded three $50,000 bonuses for the night's best performances:
Fight of the Night: Trey Waters vs Billy Goff
Performance of the Night: Carlos Ulberg (12-second knockout of Alonzo Menifield)
Performance of the Night: Diego Ferreira (Come-from-behind TKO of Mateusz Rębecki)
Hometown Heroes Shine
The St. Louis crowd had plenty to celebrate as all three hometown fighters emerged victorious:
- Joaquin Buckley dominated Nursulton Ruziboev in the co-main event with a masterful wrestling-heavy performance
- Sean Woodson extended his winning streak to five with a technical striking clinic against Alex Caceres
- Trey Waters (Florida-based but fighting out of St. Louis) earned Fight of the Night honors in a thrilling war with Billy Goff
The Enterprise Center erupted repeatedly throughout the night at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento as the local favorites delivered memorable performances for their passionate fanbase.
Notable Storylines
Derrick Lewis's Main Event Frustration: Despite winning at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento, Lewis made headlines post-fight by expressing frustration about being booked in another five-round main event. "The Black Beast" has repeatedly stated publicly that he prefers three-round fights and even jokingly offered to give the main event slot to Buckley.
Tecia Pennington's Return: The former strawweight contender returned after a 25-month layoff following the birth of her daughter, joining the growing ranks of the UFC's "Fighting Moms Club." Despite the loss, Pennington showed no signs of rust in her first appearance since becoming a mother.
Hype Train Derailed: Robelis Despaigne learned a harsh lesson about the difference between regional competition and the UFC. After his spectacular 18-second knockout debut, the Cuban giant was thoroughly outworked by Waldo Cortes-Acosta, exposing significant holes in his grappling and cardio.
Chase Hooper's Evolution: Once known primarily as a submission specialist, Hooper scored his first career knockdown before submitting Viacheslav Borshchev, showcasing improved striking that makes him a more complete and dangerous lightweight contender.
Borrowed Time Ended: Mateusz Rębecki's remarkable 16-fight winning streak came to a devastating end at the hands of veteran Diego Ferreira, proving that experience and heart can overcome youth and momentum in the unforgiving world of MMA.
Division Implications
Heavyweight: Derrick Lewis's knockout victory at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento keeps him relevant in the heavyweight rankings, though at 39 years old, his championship window is closing. Rodrigo Nascimento suffered a setback in his climb toward title contention.
Welterweight: Joaquin Buckley's dominant performance against the towering Ruziboev proved he belongs among the elite welterweights. His wrestling prowess, combined with explosive striking, makes him a live threat against any top-15 opponent.
Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg's 12-second destruction of a ranked opponent announced his arrival as a serious contender. The City Kickboxing product has now strung together an impressive run and will likely crack the rankings.
Lightweight: The division remains as chaotic and violent as ever, with Ribovics's spectacular knockout, Hooper's impressive submission, and Ferreira's comeback victory all reshuffling the deep 155-pound landscape.
Featherweight: Sean Woodson's five-fight winning streak positions him for a ranked opponent next. His height, reach, and technical striking make him a nightmare matchup for many featherweights.
Looking Forward
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento successfully reintroduced St. Louis to UFC action after a six-year absence. The Enterprise Center crowd provided an electric atmosphere throughout, particularly when hometown heroes Buckley, Woodson, and Waters earned victories.
The event showcased the UFC's depth, with unexpected finishes, dominant performances, and competitive battles throughout the 14-fight card. From Ulberg's 12-second knockout to Waters and Goff's Fight of the Night war, fans received excellent value from top to bottom.
With Lewis extending his knockout record, Buckley cementing his contender status, and several prospects making statements, UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Nascimento will be remembered as a successful return to the "Show-Me State" that delivered action, upsets, and hometown glory.
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