Heavyweight Underdog Shines at UFC Vegas 114

Steven Asplund pulls off the upset over Vitor Petrino in the main card opener.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In the main card opener of UFC Vegas 114, heavyweight underdog Steven Asplund pulled off a surprising victory over Vitor Petrino. Asplund, known for his high-volume striking and impressive cardio, was able to overwhelm the Brazilian Petrino with a relentless barrage of strikes to earn the win.

Why it matters

This upset victory by the underdog Asplund shakes up the heavyweight division and shows that he has the potential to be a rising contender in the weight class. Petrino was expected to win this fight handily, so Asplund's performance will likely earn him more high-profile matchups going forward.

The details

Asplund, who previously competed at a much higher weight, used his superior conditioning and output to wear down Petrino over the course of the fight. Despite Petrino's size and power advantage, Asplund was able to consistently land strikes and avoid taking too much damage. By the end of the fight, Petrino was visibly fatigued, allowing Asplund to seal the victory.

  • The main card of UFC Vegas 114 took place on March 10, 2026.
  • Asplund and Petrino competed in the opening bout of the main card.

The players

Steven Asplund

A heavyweight fighter known for his high-volume striking and impressive cardio, Asplund pulled off the upset victory over the favored Vitor Petrino.

Vitor Petrino

A Brazilian heavyweight fighter who was expected to win this fight against the underdog Asplund, but was ultimately overwhelmed by Asplund's relentless pace and output.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had to push the pace and not let Petrino settle into his power game. My cardio was the difference-maker tonight.”

— Steven Asplund, UFC Fighter (sportsgamblingpodcast.com)

What’s next

Asplund's victory will likely earn him a step up in competition for his next fight, as he looks to build on this upset win and establish himself as a contender in the UFC heavyweight division.

The takeaway

This fight showcased the unpredictable nature of MMA, as the underdog Asplund was able to pull off a dominant performance and defeat the favored Petrino. It serves as a reminder that anything can happen in the Octagon, and that fighters who are willing to push a relentless pace can sometimes overcome size and power disadvantages.