Derrick Lewis has claimed he doesn't know who his opponent Sergei Pavlovich is ahead of his latest UFC appearance.
Lewis has been stopped in two of his last three fights and will return for the first time since losing to Tai Tuvasa at UFC 271 in February. His next challenge will come in the shape of surging star Pavolvich, who he will face at the American Airlines Center this weekend at UFC 277.
A win for Lewis will keep him above recently-defeated Tom Aspinall in the rankings after the Brit suffered a devastating TKO loss following a knee injury in his UFC London appearance last weekend. However the American heavyweight has admitted he is enjoying himself despite his recent decline in form. “I didn't know who he was [when the fight was offered]," Lewis told reporters at the UFC 277 press conference. "I still don’t know who he is. It really doesn’t matter.
"I’ve fought everyone. I fought guys that should be champions, and I fought guys that should be a reporter. I fought everyone. So it don’t matter. So I’m not the best fighter. I don’t go out there thinking I’m the best fighter, either. So it doesn’t matter.
“I’m at a new camp now. We’re just having fun. I’m enjoying the process of training. I used to not like even [get excited to train]. Now I try to get there early, at least one minute earlier than I usually do.”
Pavolvich has been turning heads in the heaviest weight-class, and recently ended a three-year hiatus from the octagon when he dispatched of Shamil Abdurakhimov at UFC London in March. He was previously inactive since 2019 where he picked up two consecutive victories following a debut defeat with the promotion.
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Lewis currently holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history and remains a huge draw despite his recent form. He remains one of the biggest characters on the roster and even claimed he would buy the promotion and give up fighting.
“With the mega millions I’m going to buy the UFC, then I’m gonna talk so much s**t to the reporters,” Lewis responded when asked what he’d do if he came into a significant fortune. I’m gonna doll your a**** out like you do us fighters. F*** you all. You all talk so much s**t about me for no reason.
"I’m sitting up here telling you all the truth. I don’t give a f*** about this fighting s***. They’re up here telling me, ‘Oh I don’t think Derrick got it.’ Mother******. I have been telling you all. F*** you all. It is what it is, I don’t care. I don’t like you all.”
