Derrick Lewis reports being healthier and less pressured ahead of his UFC 291 fight against Marcos Rogerio de Lima, following a losing streak and a traumatic weight cut experience during his previous matchup against Serghei Spivac.
UFC fighter Derrick Lewis has announced that he’s feeling in much better health as he prepares for his upcoming bout with Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 291, compared to how he felt leading in to his previous fights. In spite of several losses recently, Lewis insists that none have been as challenging as his most recent fight. Lewis is set to return to the octagon in Salt Lake City this Saturday on the preliminary card of the UFC 291. Despite having faced defeat in his last three fights, and four of his last five, his loss to Serghei Spivac in February served as a veritable wake-up call.
Lewis revealed an alarming incident at the UFC 291 media day, where he confessed that he fainted prior to the weigh-ins before his last fight. He explained, “I blacked out, my coaches had to carry me, make sure I stayed conscious, and I just didn’t have any energy the rest of the week.” He attributed this to extreme weight loss, having shed 25 pounds in just three days by drinking only water and barely eating. This intense experience served to keep him preoccupied throughout the actual fight, leaving him feeling utterly drained.
Now, Lewis assures that there will be no similar problems at the weigh-in this week, as he revealed he has already reached his target weight. He aspires to return to his victorious record, which previously earned him two opportunities at the undisputed and interim heavyweight titles over the last five years. Reflecting on his loss to Spivac, Lewis said, “I had a lot to prove that fight and I just felt like … man, I just let myself down. I just really wanted that back, and right now, I’ve got this perfect opportunity to fight this guy [on Saturday].”
In addition to addressing his health concerns, Lewis has also taken steps to relieve himself of unnecessary pressure, which he believes has helped significantly in the run-up to the fight against de Lima. He hopes to imbue his performance with this renewed positivity in the forthcoming match against de Lima, who has won two consecutive fights and four out of his last five. Lewis is looking forward to the fight, sharing, “I think another problem is feeling like I’ve had something to prove. I’m excited to go in there and just fight. I really believe that on Saturday, I’m going to really have fun out there and you’re going to see something different in me, because I’ve been feeling good.”