LAS VEGAS — Derrick Lewis spent the latter half of the first round on his back, with veteran Aleksei Oleinik slithering on top of him looking for an opening that would lead to a fight-ending submission.

So, when the second round began, Lewis did something about it.

Lewis was immediately on top of him and began firing away.

This version of Lewis, who is spending more than a half-hour a day training and is actively looking to improve his skills, would be a far bigger challenge for the champion than he was at UFC 230 in 2018, when he was submitted by Cormier.

He rode out the storm and managed to get position on Lewis, spending much of the final minute of the round on top looking for a submission.