Derrick Lewis was forced out of his main event fight at UFC Fight Night 215 Saturday.
Lewis was scheduled to meet Sergey Spivak in a heavyweight collision. However, hours before, he was forced to withdraw due to a non-COVID, non-weight cutting illness.
Instead, Kennedy Ncwchukwu earned a main event victory over Ion Cutelaba live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The light heavyweight contest was stopped in the second round.
Ncwchukwu took advantage of the spotlight, showing off his striking to improve to 11-3. He has won five of his last seven around a split decision loss and a knockout defeat.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Muslim Salikhov, Jack Della Maddalena and Charles Johnson all picked up main card wins. Salikhov and Maddalena scored finishes over their opponents.
On the prelims, Jennifer Maia earned a decision victory over Maryna Moroz and Miles Johns topped Vince Morales.
Nzechukwu, Salikhov, Maddalena and Natalia Silva all claimed “Performance of the Night” bonuses and an additional $50,000.
UFC Fight Night 215 Results
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Ion Cutelaba via TKO (strikes) at 1:02 of Round 2
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Chase Sherman via unanimous decision
Muslim Salikhov def. Andre Fialho via TKO (strikes) at 1:03 of Round 3
Jack Della Maddalena def. Danny Roberts via TKO (strikes) at 3:24 of Round 1
Charles Johnson def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov via split decision
Jennifer Maia def. Maryna Moroz via unanimous decision
Miles Johns def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision
Ricky Turcios def. Kevin Natvidad via split decision
Vanessa Demopoulos def. Maria Oliveira via unanimous decision
Brady Hiestand def. Fernie Garcia via unanimous decision
Natalia Silva def. Tereza Bleda via TKO (strikes) at 1:27 of Round 3
