DALLAS – Derrick Lewis is as carefree as ever going into UFC 277.
Despite being finished in two of his past three fights and coming up short of an interim heavyweight championship, Lewis (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) entered fight week in vintage form Wednesday, cracking jokes with everyone around him and bringing a loose energy to media day.
“The Black Beast” will once again fight in his home state of Texas when he clashes with Sergei Pavlovich (15-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) on the pay-per-view main card at American Airlines Center. His foe is a surging name in the heavyweight division, having won his past three fights by first-round knockout.
But Lewis said he’s clueless to Pavlovich’s work and is paying him no mind.
“I ain’t know who he was (when the fight was offered). I still don’t know who he is,” Lewis told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “It really don’t matter. I’ve fought everyone. I fought guys that should be champions, and I fought guys that should be a reporter for MMA Junkie. I fought everyone. So it don’t matter. So I’m not the best fighter. I don’t go out there thinking I’m the best fighter, either. So it don’t matter.”
Although it’s always a challenge to pinpoint how seriously Lewis takes his career due to his personality, he apparently did make a significant change. Lewis said he switched camps ahead of UFC 277 and has coaches from Renzo Gracie Houston alongside him during fight week.
“I’m at a new camp now,” Lewis. “We’re just having fun. I’m enjoying the process of training. I used to not like even (get excited to train). Now I try to get there early, at least one minute earlier than I usually do.”
No matter where Lewis’ focus registers ahead of a fight, the UFC’s all-time record-holder for knockouts is always a threat inside the octagon. He has the same goal every time he steps in the cage, and that’s to put as much money in his bank account as possible.
“It’s still the money,” Lewis said of his motivation. “Inflation. You didn’t see the gas prices?”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 277.
Who? Derrick Lewis says he doesn’t know who UFC 277 opponent Sergei Pavlovich is
