Derrick Lewis has staked his claim for a shot against newly crowned UFC champion Tom Aspinall. Having established himself as the UFC’s top knockout specialist with his 16th knockout in the UFC Nashville main event on Saturday evening, Lewis has firmly laid down the gauntlet. The match saw him lock horns with his fiercest adversary so far, Tallison Teixeira. In no time, the Brazillian athlete lost the smile he was sporting during the weigh-ins after Lewis TKO’d him just 35 seconds into their first round, dishing out Teixeira’s premier professional defeat.
Predictably, Lewis’s place among the heavyweight division is notable; currently, he’s ranked 9th and has emerged victorious three times in his four most recent appearances. These accomplishments have led him on a trajectory towards a third shot at the title, with the newest champion, Tom Aspinall, as his intended target. Lewis is not just an average competitor; his reputation as the UFC’s emperor of knockouts has earned him a significant following.
In the circles of UFC fans and analysts, Lewis’s stature is considerable. According to Alan Jouban, a long-established veteran and analyst with the UFC, Lewis may be a more accomplished figure than Ciryl Gane, the French sensation. ‘When thinking about the next contender for Aspinall, Lewis’s reputation probably weighs more compared to a Ciryl Gane, even if Gane is the first one that comes to mind,’ stated Jouban.
Casting further doubt on Gane’s suitability as the next challenger for Aspinall, Jouban highlighted Gane’s lackluster performance against Jon Jones. In contrast, there’s a guarantee of fireworks when Lewis steps into the ring, frequent first round KOs being a testament to his potency. His immense popularity and strong backing from fans make him an attractive contender after his recent performance.
Echoing sentiments about the right timing for a potential bout between Aspinall and Lewis, Jouban emphasized, ‘Take advantage of the momentum from his recent highlight reel performance; now is the perfect time.’ With the current wave of support behind Lewis, Jouban firmly backs an Aspinall vs. Lewis fight.
Similarly, endorsing Jouban’s viewpoint, Chris Weidman, the former middleweight champion, voiced his support for Lewis’s immediate fight against Aspinall. Weidman remarked, ‘If we are to wait for the Aspinall-Gane bout, we’ll be wasting another year. Shouldn’t we rather give Lewis the chance against Aspinall now?’
Weidman also touched upon the fan appeal that a Lewis vs. Aspinall fight would garner. In his eyes, Lewis’s potential to deliver knockouts makes him a thrilling watch. People love the prospect of the fight because Lewis has demonstrated his ability to floor all his opponents.
Weidman further highlighted Aspinall’s remarkable skills, particularly highlighting his impressive footwork. In Weidman’s assessment, Aspinall is a well-rounded fighter, sophisticated and capable both on and off his feet. However, a fight with Lewis would certainly put Aspinall’s skill to a stern test, and fans would definitely love to witness it.
Wrapping up his thoughts, Weidman also weighed in with marketing suggestions with regards to the future of the UFC heavyweight division. According to him, if Aspinall vs. Lewis materializes, it would serve as an excellent precursor to promoting a potential fight in July with Jon Jones.
Aspinall vs. Lewis is an attractive proposition not just because of its combatants’ skills, but also due to the contrasting styles they bring to the ring. While Lewis is a ruthless knockout artist, Aspinall is an adept, intricate fighter who presents a challenging riddle for his opponents to solve.
Fans, analysts, and former fighters have all expressed their desire to see a face-off between someone as unpredictable and fiercely intense as Lewis, who offers electrifying moments every time he steps into the octagon, and a proficient, more technical operator like Aspinall.
Market observers believe that setting up a battle between these two titans will not only spark fan excitement and speculation but will also elevate the anticipation for what lies ahead in the UFC heavyweight division. A potential Jon Jones comeback further adds to this intrigue.
With public opinion firmly behind a showdown, it is now down to the UFC to make a decision on the future face-offs in the heavyweight division. While a fight between Lewis and Aspinall is seemingly favored by fans and pundits alike, only time will tell whether this is the path that will be taken.
In conclusion, it is clear that Lewis making his case to fight against Aspinall isn’t just a personal ambition. His recent performances, dominating presence in the UFC, and the fan fervor surrounding his exploits only solidify his argument and make it difficult to overlook him as Aspinall’s next challenger.
Given the current temperature of fan opinion and pundit analysis, a showdown between Derrick Lewis and Tom Aspinall seems like a tantalizing prospect. This match would potentially shake up the UFC heavyweight division, and set the stage for further exciting bouts in the near future.
The post Derrick Lewis Eyes a Shot at UFC Champion Tom Aspinall appeared first on Real News Now.
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