All of a sudden, we’ve got arguably the most charismatic heavyweight contender of all time vying for a UFC title shot.
There’s not a fight fan alive who would deny Derrick Lewis’ status as a bona fide contender for Stipe Miocic’s crown following his devastating knockout of Travis Browne in the UFC Halifax main event on Sunday night.
There was never any doubt about Lewis’ ability to cut a solid promo but there is much more to ‘The Black Beast’ than lip service and he proved last weekend that he was more than able to hang with the elite of the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Lewis stretched his already impressive win streak to six as he stopped Browne in his tracks in the second round of their clash in Nova Scotia, guaranteeing himself a healthy boost up the heavyweight rankings.
See the final moments of #UFCHalifax as Derrick Lewis overpowers Hapa and finishes w/ devastating ground and pound. https://t.co/DplJCPRUd4
— FS1 (@FS1) February 20, 2017
With both men visibly gassed, Lewis slipped a Browne right hand and came over the top with a thudding short right hook to the temple, which sent ‘Hapa’ backwards.
Lewis pounced and, following a questionably late stoppage from referee Mario Yamasaki, ensured he’d get his hand raised.
As per usual, Lewis’ post-fight interview was not lacking in entertainment value as he revealed that he’d not been hurt by an early kick but, rather, simply had to use the bathroom which explained a visible grimace in round one.
The Texas native then insisted that he would be taking some time away from the Octagon after his fifth fight in 12 months.
“I feel like I just need some time off,” Lewis told Brian Stann. “I don’t want to hear nothing about not fighting in the next three months. … Plus, all the training and all the sex I’ve been getting, my body needs some time off.”
Lewis pulled no punches when it came to the controversial past of his opponent either, as he referenced the domestic violence allegations made against Browne by his ex-wife before bringing up Browne’s current partner, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, in unflattering terms.
“I just knew I had a bigger heart than him,” Lewis added. “He calls himself a man, but he likes to put his hands on women. So, forget that guy. I got much more heart than he has. Where’s Ronda Rousey’s fine ass at?”
