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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Ken Hathaway

Philipe Lins sees bright future at light heavyweight after another win at UFC on ESPN 45

LAS VEGAS – Philipe Lins beat Maxim Grishin with a unanimous decision Saturday to open up the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 45 in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Grishin, who moved to 3-0 as a light heavyweight.

Maxim Grishin vs. Philipe Lins

Result: Philipe Lins def. Maxim Grishin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Updated records: Lins (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Grishin (32-10-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
Key stat: Grishin had more than twice as many total strikes landed as Lins, but Lins had 8:24 of total control time to sway the judges.

Grishin on the fight's key moment

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 03: (R-L) Philipe Lins of Brazil punches Maxim Grishin of Russia in a light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 03, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“He surprised me and tried to take down me in the middle of the fight. I used this against him and made him tired. I saw the opportunity to control the fight and get the win.”

Grishin on not getting the finish

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 03: (R-L) Maxim Grishin of Russia battles Philipe Lins of Brazil in a light heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 03, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

“It was good. I’m a type of fighter that, I’m looking forward to finish my opponent. But I’m ready to win my decision, too. The most important is that I got my ‘W’ again. I’m ready for everything. I knew that my opponent’s a tough guy, but I knew that if I catch him with a good punch is the beginning of the end. I’m a type of fighter that is ready for everything.”

Grishin on what he wants next

May 13, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Anthony Smith (red gloves) prepares to fight Johnny Walker (blue gloves) in a light heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

“I heard there’s going to be a card in Brazil in November. I’d love to fight for my people and I want to (take a big) step at my goals in the UFC. So Anthony Smith, what do you think of fighting in Brazil? What do you say? ”

To hear more from Grishin, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 45.

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