Derrick Lewis admits self-imposed pressure led to UFC interim title loss, anxious to start again

LAS VEGAS – Derrick Lewis has no problem admitting that pressure got to him ahead of his failed bid for the UFC’s interim heavyweight title in Houston, but the reason he was feeling those nerves may surprise you.

“Man, it was just overwhelming fighting in my hometown, all that pressure I had on me,” Lewis told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day at the UFC Apex. “I put all that pressure on myself, you know? It would have been 13 years since the day I got out of prison, and winning the title for the UFC heavyweight champion, it would have just – I put so much pressure on myself. It was just very nerve-racking.”

Lewis served three-and-a-half years in a Texas prison following an aggravated assault conviction, as well as a subsequent probation violation. It was upon his release that he turned to MMA, where he has since built a new life for himself.

Lewis said he still hopes to take future fights in Houston, a frequent stop for the UFC these days, but admits he mishandled his approach to that UFC 265 bout.

“I would like to keep fighting in Houston,” Lewis said. “I love fighting in Houston. It was just that day. I just put so much pressure on myself, you know, so it is what it is.”

Lewis (25-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) also readily admits that August loss to Ciryl Gane left a bitter taste in his mouth, and it was important for him to step back in the cage as quickly as possible. “The Black Beast” gets that chance on Saturday when he takes on Chris Daukaus (12-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the headlining bout of UFC Fight Night 199, which streams live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex.

Lewis admits he didn’t know much about Daukaus, who has been in the UFC for just 16 months, prior to accepting the fight but didn’t hesitate once he was given a name.

“It’s just whatever,” Lewis said. “I always tell them I don’t care who it is. It’s go time, no matter what it is.”

With seven years on the UFC roster, Lewis will have a serious advantage in terms of octagon experience over Daukaus, but the vaunted knockout artist doesn’t think that means much once the leather starts flying.

“Experience don’t mean anything,” Lewis said. “Most fighters go into a fight really just focused on one thing: just winning. So all the outside and noise really doesn’t matter. … We’re heavyweights, so anything can happen. Anything, any slip-up or anything can happen.”

With a win, Lewis will certainly be in line for more big fights next year. Despite his setback with Gane, Lewis still sits at No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie heavyweight rankings, and his popularity among fans makes him an easy sell in just about any matchup.

Lewis welcomes more big fights and promises not to let his recent mistake affect his future bookings – and while he’s never been one for a big-time call-out, Lewis thinks a fight with former champ Stipe Miocic sounds like a perfect next step toward getting him back to another shot of his own.

“I would like to fight for the title at the end of next year,” Lewis said. “That would be great. You know, get through Daukaus, God willing, I come out with the win, I would like to fight Stipe next. I believe he’s top five, so I believe that I should be fighting top-five guys in the division. Nothing against Stipe or nothing like that.

“You know, I don’t feel like I have nothing to prove. It’s just a guy that I’ve never fought. I know he’s like one of the best of all time. You know, I ain’t sh*t, so I just want to just fight him just because. That’s all. No disrespect or anything like that.”

To see the full interview with Lewis, check out the video above.