In 2017, heavyweight Derrick Lewis lost to Mark Hunt and announced his retirement. Now he fights champ champ Daniel Cormier for the heavyweight championship at UFC 230 on November 3, and Madison Square Garden.
What changed?
They just kept pulling me back in, pulling me back in, explained the Godfather fan, laughing, to Thomas Gerbasi for UFC.com. I can’t leave; the only way is death.
Getting his back issues addressed played a role too. Above all Lewis is happy to be able to better provide for his family.
I’m not in this sport to be famous or for people to like me and stuff like that, said Lewis. I’m in this sport for the money and that’s the way I am, day in and day out. Even if I wasn’t fighting, I would be the same person. I really don’t care if people ever remember me. Hopefully, they don’t remember me – I prefer it to be like that so they’ll leave me alone whenever I’m out in public with my family.
In a league that rightly calls itself as real as it gets, Lewis has become a fan favorite by being authentic.
“I’m just being myself, he said. I’m not rude or mean to anyone. I’m always respectful when it’s time for me to be respectful towards someone. So I guess it may be because I’m genuine, I’m honest, and I don’t beat around the bush. But I don’t know why people like me.
Lewis honest, winning nature was on full display post-fight at UFC 229, when he told commentator Joe Rogan that he didn’t deserve a title shot, due to his inadequate cardio. What changed?
Money talks, explained a laughing Lewis. They threw money at me like I was a stripper, and I was fine with it. … Without a doubt I believe I can beat this guy. Even if it’s the last 30 seconds of the fifth round, I believe that I can still knock him out.
I know a lot of guys don’t believe in me, but I believe in myself. I know I’m not the most technical, and I don’t look at myself as a martial artist. I’m a brawler, so I don’t have the most experience like everyone else that I fight, but the one thing I do have is the most heart of anyone that I ever faced and that I will face.
And if he wins in November?
It would mean another belt to hang up in the closet and tie around my waist to keep my pants from falling,” he said. “That would be about it. … I would keep it in the center of my closet, where I keep the watches and stuff like that.
