Derrick Lewis laments patient game plan in split call over Blagoy Ivanov at UFC 244

NEW YORK – Derrick Lewis beat Blagoy Ivanov with a split decision Saturday on the main card at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Take a look inside the fight with Lewis, who got back in the win column after a two-fight skid of stoppage losses to former heavyweight champions Daniel Cormier – in a title fight a year ago in the same venue – and Junior Dos Santos.

Result: Derrick Lewis def. Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Lewis (22-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC), Ivanov (18-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: Ivanov landed three takedowns to just one for Lewis, and Ivanov won the overall striking battle 61-32. But Lewis landed more significant strikes and took the split call.

Lewis on the fight’s key moment

“It feels real good to get back in the win column because that was a battle right there. That guy was tough. I thought for sure he was going to be rocked after a couple of them and I could finish him, but he’s tough as hell. I was real shocked. Anybody else, they would have been out. I know he was tough going into it, I know he takes a lot of big shots and keeps coming, so I knew it would be a fight.”

Lewis on upping his strength and conditioning game

“I trained hard coming into this. It’s all a testament to my gym, Grindhouse. They helped me a lot with my strength and conditioning. Also my nutritionist, Lou (Giordano), Loutrition.”

Lewis on what he wants next

“I think this keeps me where I’m at in the division, because I should have finished him. I guess I was being too patient, but it is what it is.”

To hear more from Lewis, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.