Derrick Lewis shares Francis Ngannou's big role in his UFC contract negotiations
Derrick Lewis recently credited Francis Ngannou for indirectly and unknowingly helping him during his UFC contract renewal negotiations. Lewis used Ngannou's pay and privileges at the PFL to secure a better and more favorable contract for himself.
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023 after failing to come to terms on his contract renewal. He later signed a bumper multi-fight contract with the PFL, where he would be free to compete in boxing and be chairman of the promotion's Africa league. Ngannou recently made his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira and defeated the Brazilian via first-round knockout.
After his knockout win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 291 last July, Lewis signed a new contract with the UFC and seemingly used Ngannou's PFL deal as a negotiating tool. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, 'The Black Beast' credited the former UFC heavyweight champion and said:
"Francis played the role of helping me get this contract that I got right now... Because, you know, the negotiations, I said, ‘Man, look what they’re doing over there [PFL], I could be over there getting that. It’s so weird. I would like to stay here. So, you know, I ain’t gonna say too much."
Derrick Lewis shares definitive prediction for upcoming Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic title fight at UFC 309
Derrick Lewis recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic heavyweight title clash at UFC 309 and shared his prediction for the same.
At the UFC Edmonton media day, 'The Black Beast' predicted Jones to make light work of Miocic and finish the fight in the first round. Calling the fight in favor of Jones, Lewis said:
"I think Jones will beat him in the first round. It’s crazy to see a lot of people just disrespect Jones like that, like he ain’t the GOAT, for real. A lot of people keep throwing around these GOAT terms and this and that, Jones has been doing this for so many years at the top of the level against all these opponents, like top-ranked guys." [H/t: BJ Penn]
Watch the Derrick Lewis' full media day interview below:
As for Lewis, he is set to face Jhonata Diniz at UFC Edmonton this weekend. He's coming off a third-round knockout win over Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis earlier this year and has a professional record of 28-12-1.