
After a thrilling come-from-behind win at UFC 229, Derrick Lewis is reportedly being considered for a potential heavyweight title shot at UFC 230 – though his participation seems anything but a guarantee.
“Fighting already?” Lewis today asked MMAjunkie Radio. “Hell, no. I’m already 300 pounds right now. You think I could cut that weight in three weeks? No.
“I’m living good right now, feeling good. I’m full right now – full of breakfast biscuits and stuff.”
Of course, after 15 fights in the UFC, it’s become clear you can’t always take “The Black Beast” at his first word. After all, the man behind the world’s best Instagram account is known to enjoy a laugh or two.
A little pressing is all it takes to find out Lewis is a closer to striking distance from the heavyweight limit than he might have first had you believe.
“No, I’m bull(expletive)ing,” Lewis said. “I’m still in the 70s right now. I’m not that far away.”
Still, Lewis (21-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) isn’t exactly leaping at the opportunity to headline next month’s UFC 230 in New York – a possibility first reported by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
After an exhausting 15-minute fight, not to mention a 30-day medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission that would have to be waived for him to face champ Daniel Cormier (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) at the Nov. 3 event at Madison Square Garden, Lewis thinks a four-week turnaround is just a little too much to ask, even for such a fantastic opportunity.
“I don’t think so,” Lewis said. “It’s too early.”
Of course, Lewis points out, never say never. After all, he got into this sport to take care of his family, and a paycheck with an extra zero or two on the end might help change his mind.
“I guess it would have to be (a large amount of money),” Lewis said. “Other than that, no.”
While it seems the UFC is hell-bent on finding a fight to headline UFC 230 over Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks or Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz, which already take place on the card, Lewis said he’s not exactly sure his participation makes sense. After all, the UFC previously announced Cormier would face former champ and massive superstar Brock Lesnar in a blockbuster affair, and Lewis isn’t exactly sure what message the UFC is trying to send by making him and Cormier first.
“If they’re still trying to make the Brock thing work, what sense does it make for me to fight ‘DC’ before he fights Brock, unless they for sure think that ‘DC’ is going to beat me?” Lewis asked. “Then ‘DC’ would still be there for Brock in January, if I were to fight ‘DC’ before him and Brock get it on.”
Of course, with a fan-friendly style and an incredibly likable persona, perhaps Lewis could work his way into that Lesnar fight if he finds a way past Cormier? Could “The Black Beast” be a true superstar of the sport, as well?
“I guess once my paycheck starts looking a little different, then I’ll probably start feeling like a superstar, because right now, I still wear gym clothes everywhere I go just because I can’t find no clothes that fit,” Lewis said.
To hear more from Lewis, check out the video above.
For the latest on UFC 230, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.
MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
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