UFC star Derrick Lewis isn’t confident he’ll fight on a potential card at The White House.
UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis will look to continue his rise up the rankings this Saturday at UFC Nashville. Lewis and Tallison Teixeira headline an intriguing card featuring the likes of Stephen Thompson, Calvin Kattar, and Nate Landwehr.
Lewis, the UFC’s all-time knockouts leader, is one of the promotion’s biggest fan favorites. His one-punch knockout power and unique personality have led Lewis to headline several UFC pay-per-view cards.
But if UFC CEO Dana White makes a fight card happen at The White House next year, Lewis isn’t holding his breath that he’ll be called upon to feature against another top heavyweight.
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Derrick Lewis believes U.S. Government would stop him from fighting at The White House
U.S. President Donald Trump made headlines earlier this month when he announced a UFC card in the works at The White House next year to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary of its independence. Several top names, including recently retired Jon Jones, are interested in featuring on the card.
Lewis, who shouted out President Trump following one of his most iconic knockout wins, believes some of his past transgressions will prevent him from fighting at The White House.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie‘s Mike Bohn, Lewis explained why he isn’t getting his hopes up in the UFC matchmakers giving him a call to fight at The White House.
“Yeah that’s crazy, it would be so weird to fight at The White House, in the front yard?” Lewis said.
“I for sure would just think they wouldn’t even approve me to be at The White House. I probably can’t be 500 yards from The White House, they wouldn’t let me on the yard. Because of my [criminal] record.
“But, it would be a lot of fun to perform at The White House, it would be huge.”
Lewis was charged with aggravated assault and placed on probation following an incident just two weeks after he received his High School diploma. After violating his probation, he was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released after 42 months.
Lewis has since turned his life around and has become one of the top heavyweight MMA fighters in the world. He’s looking to extend his UFC knockout record this weekend against Teixeira and close in on a potential title shot.
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Derrick Lewis could face Tom Aspinall with big performance at UFC Nashville
After Tom Aspinall became the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion following Jones’s abrupt retirement, Aspinall’s first undisputed title challenger is uncertain. Lewis could potentially get his name in the mix with a triumphant performance this weekend, as he’s one of the few Top 10 contenders who Aspinall hasn’t faced.
Aspinall hasn’t fought since defending the interim heavyweight title against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 last July. He’s repeatedly hinted at a looming announcement by the UFC for his next opponent.
A matchup between Aspinall and Lewis would be fireworks, especially in a potential fight on The White House lawn. But first things first for Lewis as he prepares to face the tallest fighter on the UFC roster this weekend.
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