by King Hazard
Following the main event of UFC Fight Night 110, we all thought we lost an exciting UFC heavyweight, but it sounds like “The Black Beast” isn’t retiring after all.
Derrick Lewis, 32, announced retirement after his loss to Mark Hunt by TKO in the fourth round due to personal concerns and mainly a back injury, which he is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week. However, if that result comes back clear, without the need of surgery, then Lewis is most definitely returning inside the Octagon later this year.
On Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Lewis said,
We’re just hoping that we don’t have to get surgery, because I thought about it a little bit, and it’s not going to be my last fight. I’m going to try to get back in there as soon as I can, and we’ll find out Wednesday, see what’s going on and if it’s not too serious. Hopefully I can get back in there before the end of the year.
When Lewis is ready to return in 2017, the heavy hitter already has two opponents in mind for an epic fight. Heavyweight rivals Francis Ngannou and Travis Browne are being eyed by Lewis because days after his loss to Hunt they both trash talked his performance via social media. Ideally, Lewis would love to take on France’s Ngannou.
Lewis said,
That guy (Ngannou) is not impressed with nobody, so it’s normal for him to say anything stupid. … Travis Browne don’t know what’s he thinking. Travis, he’s out there, man. That guy has been knocked out so many times, he’s been rocked so many times, he don’t know what to say. He’s just trying to stay relevant.
If I can, I’d get him next, If not, that’s fine. I’ll give anyone hell, but right now that’d be a good one.
While Lewis’ loss to Hunt may have set back his shot at the title this year, “The Black Beast” knows he still has time in the UFC to achieve his goals.
It’s just a learning lesson. Like a lot of people have said, it’s not a bad loss to lose to Mark Hunt, so it’s really like a learning lesson. I know what I need to do to get prepared for my next battle.
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