The UFC heavyweight division is witnessing significant developments as Derrick Lewis remains a top contender, edging closer to a potential title shot following his recent victory. This past weekend at UFC Nashville in Tennessee, Lewis secured a decisive win over Tallison Teixeira, positioning himself strongly in the heavyweight picture.
Derrick Lewis’ Victory and Its Impact on His Title Shot Prospects
Derrick Lewis, known as ‘The Black Beast,’ dominated his matchup against Brazilian fighter Tallison Teixeira, finishing the bout with a knockout just 35 seconds before the end of the first round. Although the stoppage raised some debate, Lewis’ performance reinforced his status within the top 10 of the heavyweight division. Celebrating in the Octagon, Lewis even took a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the significance of his win.
Dana White Comments on Lewis’ Nearness to a Championship Opportunity
UFC President Dana White recently addressed the heavyweight title situation, especially with the conclusion of the ongoing saga involving Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones. After Jones announced his retirement, Aspinall was crowned undisputed champion, yet Jones has hinted at a possible return, stating he has resumed drug testing. Despite that, White emphasized that Aspinall intends to defend his title regardless of Jones’ potential comeback.
Following Lewis’ impressive win, White acknowledged that Lewis stands just one more victory away from earning another shot at the heavyweight title. He explained that the heavyweight division is unique since fighters typically face less weight-cutting stress, making each fight highly unpredictable, with outcomes often decided by a single punch.
“I think that’s the way the heavyweight division has always been, I mean, these guys don’t have to cut (weight), some of them have to cut but they don’t have to cut a lot of weight,”
—Dana White, UFC President
“A fight can turn with one punch, whoever lands that big shot, and they were both trying to land them and he got him, I thought the stoppage was a little fast, you know, but it is what it is,”
—Dana White, UFC President
Chris Weidman Suggests Potential Matchup Between Aspinall and Lewis
Timing remains a critical factor in determining who earns a heavyweight title shot, and former UFC champion Chris Weidman has proposed that the next title defense could feature Tom Aspinall against Derrick Lewis. This pairing could serve as an interim matchup before a potential Aspinall versus Jon Jones fight later next year. Weidman believes such a fight would maintain momentum in the division and pave the way for a marquee event.
Plans for a UFC Event at the White House and Future Implications
Dana White has confirmed intentions to host a UFC show at the White House on July 4 next year. He plans to meet with President Trump soon to discuss the logistics for this event. This high-profile occasion could coincide with the anticipated heavyweight title defenses and provide a platform for significant matchups, including possibly Aspinall versus Jones. The event would mark an important moment in UFC history and further elevate the heavyweight division’s standing.