The heavyweight championship for the following year is Derrick Lewis’ straightforward objective, but first he must establish winning momentum. This weekend is the earliest opportunity to begin.
The veteran’s opponent in Sunday’s UFC Fight Night, Sergey Spivak, is the first obstacle in his path. But despite winning both of his battles thus far, “The Black Beast,” as some refer to him, hasn’t had the best year.
The first loss came in UFC 271, when Australian Tai Tuivasa knocked him out in the second round. The other was a defeat to Sergei Pavlovich of Russia in a heated contest at UFC 277. Lewis, though, wants to put the setback behind him and finish the year strong, ideally with a knockout victory.
“I’m quite confident because I know that both of the fights I lost should have gone my way, but it does happen. Lewis told Sportstar prior of his fight, “I believe I must win this next one by whatever means possible because it’s been a difficult year and I don’t want to conclude it with another loss.
Lewis was trapped after receiving significant blows to his head and torso in the opening round, and the official interfered to force a stoppage at 55 seconds of the round. Lewis thinks he could have gone on further, even if the decision has sparked controversy about whether it was an early stoppage or a clean win.
“In my opinion, the official shouldn’t have intervened. I wasn’t even physically hurt. With him on the ground and me hammering him, I think I was winning the fight. He stated, “It was a hard one to take.
Lewis, who is 37, acknowledges that some may view him as entering his final years of employment, but he is adamant that he is here to stay.
Lewis has received numerous honors throughout his career and holds numerous records, including the most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history (13), but it is his critics who give him the motivation to keep fighting.
“My past and my detractors are what motivate me to move forward. I work hard to disprove them and value their support, he continued.
But Lewis is not fighting by himself. Behind him sits Bob Perez, the man who helped shape the Black Beast into the character he is today. There hasn’t been anything Perez hasn’t witnessed in Lewis’ life since the two first met ten years ago and got together a year later.
He is a fantastic coach. Some of the top fighters in the world have trained under him. He has taught me a lot and has a good head on his shoulders. Most significantly, he concentrates on my area of weakness, which is what coaches are expected to do. He aids in my daily improvement. Regarding the man, Lewis remarked.
Lewis is one of the most feared competitors in the heavyweight division, having achieved knockout victories in 21 of his 26 victories. The man is the complete opposite outside of the octagon, making it a priority to spend time with his loved ones regardless of how demanding his training regimen is or how full his fight schedule is.
Everyone in my family is a homebody. Every week, we watch movies and play video games. Simply because I take the time to talk to them, my kids think I’m the finest father ever. Therefore, there isn’t really a problem, he said.
Lewis enjoys fighting, especially in front of an audience, but the one thing he detests is always dealing with the media. He expressed his desire to have a hologram of himself that could manage all of his press commitments in an interview with ufc.com. Lewis responded when asked how that was doing, “I haven’t begun my hologram yet. However, I think that would be awesome and I would adore that. I would gladly pay someone to accomplish that if I knew someone who could.
Lewis, who made his UFC debut in 2014, is unquestionably one of the best in the business, and his $1.5 million projected net worth over the years reflects that. Although the sport’s financial benefits are obvious to all, Lewis advises young fighters not to use them as a source of inspiration.
“If a person wants to start making a lot of money right away, they should seek elsewhere than the UFC. Be a leader, just like Jake Paul,” Lewis chuckled.
“But if you’re still determined, just keep trying; it’s a hard sport. Whatever the outcome, it can give you everything. Don’t avoid difficult battles; they are what teach you the most. Take it if you want to. Believe that you can win whenever you engage in combat, he advised.
Lewis, who is somewhat of an underdog on Sunday despite his legacy, will try to channel that spirit. The Black Beast, however, thrives in situations like this because it gives him yet another chance to remind his detractors, “Not today.”
The UFC fight night will be telecast live across Sony Sports network and can also be live streamed on Sony LIV. The main card begins at 2.30am IST and the prelims start at 11.30pm Saturday.
