Derrick Lewis is determined to face Tom Aspinall before retiring from mixed martial arts. The heavyweight contender hopes that a victory over Taillon Teixeira at UFC Nashville this Saturday will set up a showdown with Aspinall for the championship belt. Lewis is currently considered a +210 underdog against Teixeira but knows that winning the fight is crucial to getting back into the title picture in the heavyweight division.
Lewis expressed his desire to complete his contract and get the chance to fight Aspinall. Speaking to MMAJunkie, he said,
“I stand up right there with him. That’d be good to fight him before everything is said and done with. I have a couple fights left on my contract. I would love to finish out my contract,”
continuing,
“That would be great if I can. It’d be good. Let him know I need to fight Tom Aspinall for the belt.”
—Derrick Lewis, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
Lewis Believes a Knockout Is the Only Path to Victory
The former title challenger understands the challenge of beating Aspinall and knows the only realistic way to win would be by knockout. Lewis believes the matchup favors his power striking and is confident in his ability to end the fight with a single punch.
He shared his mindset on how he approaches fights:
“I believe (Aspinall is a good matchup),”
and added,
“(Knocking him out) is all I could do. What do you think I’m going to do, tap him out with a submission or something? I’m just looking to knock guys out. Every punch I’m throwing, I’m looking to knock their head off. I’m not trying to waste anything.”
—Derrick Lewis, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
Looking for a Legitimate Title Fight Experience
Derrick Lewis has stated that he has not yet experienced a full-fledged title fight with proper preparation and buildup. His previous title opportunities were on short notice, which prevented him from being mentally and physically ready for those moments. Lewis wants a proper championship bout against Aspinall to secure his legacy.
Reflecting on his prior title shots, Lewis said,
“I haven’t really fought for the belt,”
and explained,
“They tried to give me a title fight when it was Stipe (Miocic), and I wasn’t expecting the title fight because I had a knee injury, and I ended up fighting DC’s big ass on short notice. Then they tried to give me an interim title fight with Gane. I haven’t really fought for the title with a proper buildup for a title fight, and that time to train and everything like that mentally.”
—Derrick Lewis, UFC Heavyweight Fighter
Next Steps Depend on Saturday’s UFC Nashville Outcome
To secure this pivotal matchup with Tom Aspinall, Derrick Lewis must first defeat Taillon Teixeira. The winner of UFC Nashville’s main event will position themselves as a top contender for the heavyweight championship. Lewis’s determination and knockout power will be key if he hopes to extend his career and fight for the belt on his own terms.
This potential clash carries significance for both fighters in the division. For Lewis, it could represent one final chance to claim a much-desired title under ideal circumstances. For Aspinall, it would mean defending against an experienced power striker before further cementing his reign as champion.