UFC veteran Derrick Lewis has expressed his intention to make another run at the heavyweight title after his recent win. On Saturday night, the 40-year-old secured a knockout against rising contender Tallison Teixeira, despite some debate surrounding the stoppage.
Details of the Controversial Victory Over Teixeira
Lewis demonstrated his trademark power and resilience throughout the fight, ultimately finishing Teixeira with a knockout that sparked some controversy among fans and analysts. Despite this, Lewis showed composure, capitalizing on an opportunity to end the bout effectively. The knockout win has renewed speculation about Lewis’s place in the title conversation moving forward.
Lewis Addresses His Desire for a Title Run in Post-Fight Interview
Following the match, Lewis was clear about his ambitions when speaking with reporters at the UFC on ESPN 70 post-fight press conference.
“I don’t want an easy fight like that,”
he said.
“Of course, I would like to do one more run at the title. That would be good.”
He also explained some of the moments during the fight that added to the stoppage’s controversial nature, sharing,
“Sh*t, I was acting like something was in my eye. I was waiting on him to get a little closer, he didn’t get close enough the first time, so I really was trying to sell it, make it seem he got me in my eye pretty good. Sh*t, that’s what happened. I called it. I noticed he was trying to pull himself up with the cage, and I’m like, ‘Man, come on, man. You have me hitting my own leg.’ It was messed up.”
Impact of the Win and What’s Next for Lewis
This knockout victory has many believing Lewis could leapfrog other contenders for another title shot, especially given his previous experience competing for the world championship. His persistence in focusing solely on the fights ahead has often resulted in memorable finishes, and fans are now left wondering if this could lead to one final run for the belt.
Derrick Lewis’s willingness to seek a challenging path forward, combined with the nature of his latest win, keeps him firmly in the discussion as the UFC heavyweight division shifts and evolves. The upcoming matchups and decisions by UFC matchmakers will ultimately determine if Lewis will secure the next title opportunity.