UFC News: Dana White Handed Bizarre Request by Derrick Lewis as HW Star Breaks Silence on Joaquin Buckley’s UFC St. Louis Headliner Wish

Derrick Lewis has a unique request for Dana White and the UFC! ‘The Black Beast’ is set to take on Rodrigo Nascimento in the main event of UFC on ESPN 56 in St. Louis on May 11. Lewis is aiming to bounce back from his loss against Jailton Almeida that occurred at UFC Fight Night 231 last year where the American was unable to escape from the grappling prowess of the Brazilian and spent most of the fight on the mat.

However, in a recent pre-fight interview, Lewis revealed that he is no longer interested in taking on main-event fights in the UFC. According to him, Joaquin Buckley, who had campaigned for the St. Louis main event spot at the UFC 300 press conference, can have his headlining slot if he wants to!

Derrick Lewis is done with UFC main events!

According to a post on X made by Jed I. Goodman, the St. Louis UFC main event will be Derrick Lewis’s 12th time headlining a UFC card. As such, during the pre-fight press conference, Lewis stated, ”11 main events, that’s crazy. So who got more main events than me?”

When a voice from the crowd piped up by saying Jon Jones, Lewis responded by stating, “I don’t know why I keep getting main events either. I know I say this national TV so many times, that I didn’t want to be main event. I don’t know what I had to do, I thought maybe I had to lose a couple of fights then get no more main event, but no, they still trying to put me main event. But, it’s all good…” 

When a reporter inquired about Joaquin Buckley’s desire to headline an event that he had put forward at the UFC 300 press conference, Lewis responded in his trademark fashion, ”It don’t matter to me. He could still have it. The sh*t ain’t start yet. He can still get it. I would love to go three rounds, she**it!”

This is Derrick Lewis' 12th UFC main event:

11. UFC on ESPN+ 89 (vs. Almeida)
10. UFC on ESPN+ 76 (vs. Spivac)
9. UFC on ESPN+ 57 (vs. Daukaus)
8. UFC 265 (vs. Gane)
7. UFC on ESPN+ 43 (vs. Blaydes)
6. UFC on ESPN+ 32 (vs. Oleinik)
5. UFC on ESPN+4 (vs. JDS)
4. UFC 230 (vs. DC)… pic.twitter.com/xRjtylvrJl

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 9, 2024

Buckley was in the news when he crashed the UFC 300 press conference and exclaimed on the mic, “Hey, we love Derrick Lewis, but he don’t want to fight five rounds Dana! Come on, switch it up and give your boy ‘New Mansa’ the main event of St. Louis in his home town! Baby let’s go!”

But the UFC boss hilariously shut down his request by simply walking away and ending the press conference right then! Nevertheless, Buckley is still going to be a part of the St. Louis event as he takes on Nursulton Ruziboev on the night. And Lewis, despite his reluctance to be a main-eventer, has indicated that he has something special planned for his opponent!

‘The Black Beast’ wants to “throw something crazy” at Rodrigo Nascimento 

While he may not be happy with the prospect of going 5-rounds as the main event for the card, Derrick Lewis’s confidence is at an all-time high ahead of his clash against Nascimento. At the media day for the St. Louis event, ‘The Black Beast’ stated, “I’m feeling great right now. I actually really feel like this is my prime. Whenever I was in my 20s, early 30s, I didn’t feel this good. Now I’m feeling fantastic right now.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Chris Daukaus in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

He also went on to state that he is aiming to get back into the win column at the event, but not without some style. Lewis confessed, “I want to do something special… So if you all see me throw something crazy, just know it wasn’t my coach’s idea. It’s my idea.”

And with a record 14 knockouts, the most in UFC history, to his name, fans will be eagerly awaiting what “crazy” move Lewis will pull out from his bag of tricks against The Brazilian. What do you make of Derrick Lewis wanting a break from main events? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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