The arrival of a UFC GOAT contender in his division was not enough to excite UFC Nashville headliner Derrick Lewis back in 2021.
In the first quarter of that year, Francis Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic to reach the heavyweight throne and Lewis had his latest title shot, losing out to Ciryl Gane for the interim strap.
Amid all of that, many heavyweight discussions surrounded the expected arrival of a new, prominent name to the division roster after Jones vacated the UFC light heavyweight title in the previous year.
Talk of the Rochester native pursuing two-division glory – which was achieved two years later when Jones submitted Gane at UFC 285 – was widespread, leading to champion Ngannou and the top contenders being asked for their thoughts.
It’s safe to say nobody was as unbothered as ‘The Black Beast’.
Derrick Lewis was unbothered by Jon Jones announcing highly anticipated heavyweight move
‘The Black Beast’ reacted to confirmation of Jones’ heavyweight plans in a 2021 interview with Heavy, prior to Lewis’ brutal knockout against Curtis Blaydes.
The often-deadpan heavyweight fan favorite provided a hilarious but perhaps unexpected reaction.
“It really doesn’t matter if I fight Jon or not,” Lewis said. “Like, who cares?
“I don’t care if he comes up to heavyweight. It doesn’t affect me in any kind of way. Maybe to other guys that really want the title and stuff, but not me, I don’t care what Jones does with his career.
“No, not at all, because Brock Lesnar did it before,” Lewis added, when asked if an immediate title shot for Jones would bother him. “So, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”
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Derrick Lewis on how he would have beaten Jon Jones
While he evidently did not care either way, had a fight between the pair come to fruition at heavyweight, Lewis liked his chances against Jones.
During a 2021 appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, ‘The Black Beast’ broke down how he believes ‘Bones’ would have approached their matchup and why it would have backfired, resulting in another addition to Lewis’ record tally of knockouts in the UFC.
“I kind of know what his game plan would be if he ever faced me,” Lewis said. “He would try to attack the legs a lot. I don’t think he really tries to take me down. He’ll try to keep his distance, then try to stay away.
“I would love for a guy to get this close to me. I believe that’s their downfall when they get that close, Lewis added.