Lewis Willing To Wait It Out Before Next Fight

Over the next few months, it is unsure if there will be any fight nights due to the coronavirus. The UFC is looking to continue having events, no matter what it takes. Some fighters need to fight in order to earn a paycheck, even if it means risking their health.

A fighter who always tells it like it is, Derrick Lewis is OK with not performing for the sake of the safety of himself and others.

“Of course I want to get through this safely,” Lewis stated to MMA Junkie. “I can’t be selfish and stuff like that and go out there and get myself sick and all my family, and bringing back whatever I got and give it to my kids and stuff like that, and my loved ones. So I’ve got to be not selfish enough and just wait and see what the president has to say about everything and just look up to the leaders and just see what they have to say.”

The UFC has already had to cancel three events as a result of the virus. Several fighters have missed out on getting paid. Some fighters, however, are nervous to fight for a sake of travel and risk of getting the disease. Names like Lewis, Randa Markos and Ronaldo Souza come to mind. Markos fought at UFC Brasilia, an event that did not test before or after the fights for the coronavirus. She could not get a test when she asked, leaving her in limbo.

Lewis (23-7, 1NC) is on a two-fight win streak. “The Black Beast” last fought in February at UFC 247, beating Ilir Latifi via unanimous decision. His hope was to fight on June 27 in Austin, Texas, his current residency, for UFC on ESPN 9. With various events getting postponed, however, it is unsure if that card will even happen. Lewis is fine with whatever decision is made.

“That was my goal – to shoot (for) four fights this year before all this stuff happened,” Lewis said. “So we’ll see if we can do three. But what it’s looking like right now – it (doesn’t) look like it. So if we can get another one in, that would be great. If not, that’s fine.”

The UFC is looking to hold onto UFC 249 on April 18, even if half of the main event will not be on the card. If Lewis was available, perhaps this could be his opportunity to shine. Until then, Lewis will be waiting for the right moment.