UFC Fight Night results, highlights: Jailton Almeida grapples his way to decision win over Derrick Lewis

The Brazilian scored the biggest win of his career on Saturday night in front of his countrymen and women

Dominance can come in many forms in the Octagon. For UFC Fight Night heavyweight headliner Jailton Almeida, it came through takedowns and dominant ground position against Derrick Lewis, though he may not have won over many new fans en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Round after round, Almeida scored takedowns and took full mount or back control, but did little with the most dominant positions in the sport. Lewis was never able to fully engage on the feet before being taken down but did fend off any submission attempts and was rarely struck with any meaningful strikes.

Lewis was stepping in on relatively short notice after Curtis Blaydes was forced out of the fight due to injury. While he was dominated on the ground, Lewis may have provided something of a reality check for Almeida, who had only absorbed two significant strikes in his previous five trips to the Octagon.

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By the time the final horn sounded after five rounds of inaction, it was clear Almeida deserved the decision victory, but the fight was ultimately a step back for a fighter who had been hyped as a potential future title challenger.

The final scorecards read 50-44, 50-44 and 50-45 for Almeida, who improved to 20-2 in his professional career.

"Remember that yesterday, I said he wanted a brawl but I was going to give you a show," Almeida said after the fight. "Did I give you a show or what?"

While Almeida may have misread the room with his post-fight statement, he did call out former two-time title challenger Ciryl Gane, claiming he was willing to go to Paris to fight the French heavyweight in a bout that would bring him closer to a potential title shot.

With the loss, Lewis dropped to 2-5 in his seven most recent fights.

CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday bringing you all the results and highlights from the UFC Fight Night below.

UFC Fight Night card, results

• Jailton Almeida def. Derrick Lewis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44,50-45)
  
• Nicolas Dalby def. Gabriel Bonfim via second-round TKO (punches)
• Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don'Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Caio Borralho def. Abus Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Elvis Brener def. Kaynan Kruschewsky via first-round KO (punch)

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:57 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Official result: Jailton Almeida def. Derrick Lewis via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:55 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis -- Round 5: Lewis missed with an uppercut and Almeida shot again. Lewis responded with elbows to the side of the head before fighting off the takedown. Lewis tried for a trip but Almeida hit a double leg and went back to mount. Almeida received another warning to work or the fight would be stood up -- again from full mount. Almeida again seemed content to adjust position and just hold Lewis down. With a minute left, Lewis exploded to his feet and was taken down yet again. Lewis got back to his feet with seconds left and got taken down again. 10-9 Almeida but there was little truly impressive in this showing. His takedowns and positional control were effective, but it's rare to see a fighter hold the back and full mount for round after round and do nothing with the positions.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:48 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis -- Round 4: Lewis threw an uppercut and a few punches as Almeida shot for a double leg but Almeida hit it and ended up right back in full mount. Almeida postured to throw some punches and Lewis gave up his back again to try and find an escape. Almeida held the position and threw a few punches but didn't do much of anything else. Almeida with one of the least inspiring dominant performances in recent memory.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:42 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis -- Round 3: Lewis flew forward with big strikes and Almeida nearly scored a takedown but Lewis initially fought it off. Lewis tried a takedown of his own but that led to another Almeida takedown before going right back to the full mount. Almeida threw a few strikes but Lewis gave up his back and used that to escape to top position. Lewis landed a few strikes but Almeida hit a half guard sweep to end up back on top and in mount again. Almeida finally started throwing some strikes from dominant position, both in mount and having taken Lewis' back. Almeida landed some heavy punches late in the round as Lewis got to his feet. Another 10-9 for Almeida with dominant position but little else.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:36 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis -- Round 2: Lewis missed with a head kick and then Almeida ducked under a right hand and scored another takedown. Almeida tried to work to mount and Lewis gave up his back. Almeida did nothing with the position but Lewis turned and allowed Almeida back to full mount. Lewis again gave up his back, trying to find space to get back to his feet. Instead, Lewis threw a few back elbows that were more annoying than effective. Almeida fished for a rear-naked choke a few times but couldn't find anything. Almeida threw a few strikes to the body but didn't do much else until a few punches to the head late in the round. Another 10-9 for Almeida but he's not doing much with dominant positions.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:30 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis -- Round 1: Almeida wasted little time going for the shot and he put Lewis down with a single-leg takedown. Almeida landed in side control and quickly passed to mount. Almeida tried to lock in an arm triangle but Lewis was able to power his arm free. Almeida threw a few punches before Lewis gave up his back but nearly got to his feet, only for Almeida to cut him off and retake mount. Almeida went back to the arm triangle and Lewis again managed to survive before getting free. Lewis got free and threw a few strikes to end the round but a clear 10-9 for Almeida even if he didn't do much damage with his dominant positions.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:11 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

It's almost main event time. Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis in a battle of heavyweight finishers. This should be a fun one.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 11:00 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

Co-main event is over after Nicolas Dalby pours on the pressure and stops Gabriel Bonfim. The Brazilian was in control early as the big favorite heading into the fight, but when Dalby refused to succumb to onslaught, it was clear that Bonfim was going to be in trouble. Dalby waited for his moment before unleashing his offense and Bonfim immediately turtled up to protect. It was a matter of time before the referee would step in and end it. Dalby, 38, extends his win streak to four.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 10:34 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

A pretty rough one there between Mayes and Nascimento as the two labored to the finish. Both men struggled with their gas tanks, but Nascimento did the more effective striking over the course of 15 minutes to get the win and move up the ladder. He takes a unanimous decision home by scores of 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.

[Nov 4, 2023 at 10:12 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

A pair of heavyweights hit the cage next when Don'Tale Mays takes on Rodrigo Nasicmento. 

[Nov 4, 2023 at 9:58 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

Caio Borralho def. Abus Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

[Nov 4, 2023 at 9:57 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

Second fight on the main card sees Caio Borralho battle to the final horn against Abus Magomedov. The two traded leather for a solid 15 minutes, including a nasty eye poke from Magomedov that threatened to stop things. In the end, Borralho finished the fight as the dominant force while threatening submission attempts and landing big punches on the ground.