What’s Next for Derrick Lewis in the Heavyweight Division?
Few expected it, but the 40-year-old Derrick Lewis silenced his critics with a devastating first-round knockout over the previously undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira. Not too long ago, things were looking bleak for Lewis, as he had lost four of his last five fights — three of them by finish. Now, the veteran is riding a two-fight win streak and holding on to his spot in the top 10 of the UFC’s Heavyweight Division. The big question is: Who should Derrick Lewis fight next as he looks to make one final run at the title?
Curtis Blaydes
A rematch between these two would be a very intriguing matchup. Lewis, one of the heaviest hitters in UFC history, against a strong grappler like Curtis Blaydes, would test whether Lewis has improved in areas that have troubled him in the past. Blaydes recently secured a win, although it was an underwhelming performance against debuting Heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev. A fight slightly down the rankings makes sense for Blaydes, while for Lewis, a win here would likely put him back in the top five and keep his title hopes alive. If he wins, many people will make the case that he would be a very likely opponent to fight for the title.
Serghei Spivac
While not a major jump in the rankings, a matchup with Serghei Spivac could still be meaningful. Spivac, ranked just one spot ahead of Lewis, is coming off a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta but remains a well-rounded and seasoned UFC veteran. This fight would give Lewis another opportunity to prove himself against a versatile opponent and potentially move up the ladder. Spivac is also known to be slow, especially on the feet, so it could be a favorable matchup for Lewis when engaging in striking situations.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta / Sergei Pavlovich
If Lewis wants to stay active, this might not be the best option. Though if Lewis were to take a break, keeping an eye on the upcoming fight between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Sergei Pavlovich could be a smart move. While fighting the winner might be a tall order, taking on the loser — especially if it’s Cortes-Acosta — could be a favorable option. Cortes-Acosta lacks the same one-punch knockout power that Lewis possesses, which might make for a favorable stylistic matchup for “The Black Beast.”
Conclusion
Derrick Lewis has defied expectations before, and with his recent resurgence, he has several intriguing paths ahead. While a rematch with Curtis Blaydes stands out as the most high-stakes and rewarding option, matchups with Spivac or the loser of Pavlovich vs. Cortes-Acosta could also make sense as Lewis looks to build momentum. With one of the most feared knockout punches in UFC history, Lewis has shown that he only needs a single moment to completely change the course of a fight. Either way, the Heavyweight Division should be on notice — Derrick Lewis isn’t done yet.
