“Maybe” – Derrick Lewis still unsure if he fights Jon Jones or Francis Ngannou next

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4 years ago

Derrick Lewis reacts after his knockout over Aleksei Oleinik of Russia in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 08, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Derrick Lewis is unclear about who his opponent for the next fight may be

The heavyweight division is getting busier and busier at the top. Francis Ngannou became the new heavyweight champion at UFC 260 after bulldozing Stipe Miocic in just two rounds.

Enter, Jon Jones – the UFC Heavyweight newcomer. Soon after Ngannou defeated Miocic at UFC 260, a marquee clash between Jones and Ngannou seemed to be the next heavyweight fight.

Francis Ngannou walks out of the Octagon as the UFC Heavyweight Champion at UFC 260. (UFC Twitter)

What followed next was a nasty online spat between Jones and UFC President Dana White, over Jones asking a huge purse for the fight. Hence, the UFC were (in fact they still are) willing to let number 2 ranked heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis take Jones’ spot instead.

Lewis is one of the only two men to have ever defeated Ngannou (the other being Miocic). A rematch against the Predator for the heavyweight title would make complete sense, and will be a great chance for Ngannou to exact revenge for the loss at UFC 226.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani in an interview, Lewis seemed unclear about fighting for the title.

Denoting that the situation revolving Jones is hazy, Lewis said:

“Oh! Maybe or maybe not. I don’t know. We’ll see how things go with Jones [Jon].”

Lewis then revealed that he doesn’t care if he was plan B or plan C, as long as he is getting to fight for the heavyweight title, before going on to say that he has already mentioned the fight purse he wanted.

Derrick Lewis already challenged once for the heavyweight title

Derrick Lewis has made a remarkable turnaround since his loss to Junior dos Santos in March 2019.

But, The Black Beast had an eventful 2018 before that. He defeated big names like Marcin Tybura, Francis Ngannou and Alexander Volkov to set up a title shot against Daniel Cormier at UFC 230.

Daniel Cormier of the United States (R) talks with Derrick Lewis of the United States after defeating him by submission in their heavyweight title bout during the UFC 230 event at Madison Square Garden on November 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

He was just one step away from greatness, but DC just walked past Lewis as if he was a piece of cake. In only two rounds, Cormier earned a submission win over Lewis via. a rear-naked choke.

Lewis is 36 now. He will be giving his all since he has brilliantly made his way up to the top of the heavyweight division once again.