Derrick Lewis presents a compelling argument for a potential fight against UFC champion Tom Aspinall.
The most prolific knockout artist in UFC history achieved his record 16th knockout victory in the main event of UFC Nashville on Saturday night, facing off against Tallison Teixeira, an opponent he particularly disliked.
Derrick Lewis swiftly ended Teixeira`s confidence displayed at the weigh-ins, stopping the Brazilian with strikes just 35 seconds into the opening round and handing him his first professional loss.
Ranked #9 in the heavyweight division and having won three of his last four bouts, the veteran contender is being considered for a third title opportunity against the new undisputed champion, Tom Aspinall.
Alan Jouban Argues Derrick Lewis Has More `Name Value` Than Ciryl Gane
Lewis might not have the strongest case for a title shot based purely on ranking, as he holds an 0-2 record in title fights and has suffered decisive losses to two higher-ranked contenders: the #1 ranked Ciryl Gane and the #5 ranked Jailton Almeida.
However, Lewis possesses significant name recognition as the UFC’s `knockout king`.
UFC veteran and analyst Alan Jouban went as far as stating Lewis is a bigger name than Gane, despite Gane`s popularity in France.
“Lewis probably has a bigger name value than a Ciryl Gane, who`s probably the guy that we`re thinking that would fight Tom Aspinall next,” Jouban commented on the UFC post-show.
“But Ciryl Gane, the name value isn`t quite there… ”
“You know, he didn`t really show up against Jon Jones. Derrick Lewis delivers first-round knockouts. He`s a big name. He`s got a big following.”
“After a performance like this, strike while the iron`s hot,” Jouban added, referring to a potential Aspinall vs. Lewis fight.
Chris Weidman Suggests Tom Aspinall vs. Derrick Lewis Could Promote Jon Jones Fight
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman agreed with Jouban and the rest of the broadcast team that Lewis should fight Aspinall next.
Weidman hasn`t given up hope for a potential Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones fight in the future, explaining how it could possibly take place at a White House UFC event around the same time next year. Jones has expressed interest in President Donald Trump’s idea for the event, and UFC President Dana White called Jones vs. Aspinall his ‘dream main event’.
Weidman explained why a fight between Aspinall and Lewis makes sense in the interim.
“That’s going to be another year, basically, to wait. Why not give Aspinall Derrick Lewis right now?” Weidman asked.
“A fight that people would love to see because Derrick Lewis has the potential to knock out everybody.”
“Tom Aspinall’s so good on the feet, he’s good everywhere. It’s a tough fight, but people would love to see it.”
“And then you could start marketing for the next fight in July with Jon Jones,” Weidman concluded.
