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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

“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

“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
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.

Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie