Derrick Lewis, the UFC record holder for most knockouts (15), is stepping into the octagon lighter than he has been in over a decade. This shift in weight comes after his victory over Rodrigo Nascimento in May 2024. It appears "The Black Beast" has been diligently working to optimize his weight, moving away from the heavyweight limit.
A Lighter "Black Beast"
Ahead of his fight against Tallison Teixeira at UFC Nashville, Lewis weighed in at 261lbs. This is noteworthy because Lewis usually has to cut weight to reach the 266lb heavyweight limit. This marks his lightest weight since his UFC debut in April 2014, when he weighed 256 pounds. The closest he's come since then was 261.5 pounds before his fight against Ilir Latifi in February 2020.
The Numbers Don't Lie
To put this in perspective, here's a brief timeline of Lewis's weight milestones:
- April 2014 (UFC Debut): 256lbs
- February 2020 (vs. Ilir Latifi): 261.5lbs
- UFC Nashville (vs. Tallison Teixeira): 261lbs
His opponent, Tallison Teixeira, who stands tall at 6ft 7in, weighed in at 259lbs. Together, Lewis and Teixeira will weigh a combined 520lbs when they meet in the Bridgestone Arena.
UFC Nashville Weigh-in Results
Here's a rundown of the weigh-in results for UFC Nashville:
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- Derrick Lewis (261) vs. Tallison Teixeira (259)
- Gabriel Bonfim (171) vs. Stephen Thompson (170.5)
- Steve Garcia (146) vs. Calvin Kattar (146)
- Morgan Charriere (146) vs. Nate Landwehr (146)
- Austen Lane (245) vs. Vitor Petrino (249)
- Junior Tafa (206) vs. Tuco Tokkos (206)
- Chris Curtis (170.5) vs. Max Griffin (170.25)
- Jake Matthews (170.5) vs. Chidi Njokuani (171.5) - Njokuani missed weight by 0.5lbs.
- Eduarda Moura (126) vs. Lauren Murphy (126)
- Kennedy Nzechukwu (238) vs. Valter Walker (244.5)
- Mike Davis (155.25) vs. Mitch Ramirez (156)
- Fatima Kline (115.5) vs. Melissa Martinez (116)
Lewis's Perspective: Health and Mindset
Lewis has shared insights into his improved health and mindset leading up to his fights. He emphasized that he is currently on weight and has been enjoying his favorite foods, like shrimp and grits. He also highlighted the importance of not putting too much pressure on himself. Lewis believes focusing on enjoying the fight, rather than worrying about external expectations, will lead to a different and improved performance.
Learning from Past Experiences
Lewis has been candid about past struggles, particularly his experience before UFC Vegas 68. He revealed that he had passed out just before the weigh-ins due to cutting 25 pounds in three days. This experience served as a wake-up call, prompting him to prioritize his health and well-being.
A Chance at Redemption
Lewis views his upcoming fight as an opportunity to bounce back from previous losses. He expressed disappointment in his performance against Serghei Spivac and is eager to prove himself. With a renewed focus on health and a positive mindset, Lewis aims to showcase a different side of himself in the octagon.
Lewis's Diet and Training Regimen
While specific details of Lewis's current weight loss plan are not fully outlined, his comments provide some insights:
- Enjoying Food: Lewis mentioned eating shrimp and grits, indicating a less restrictive diet than in the past.
- Sticking to the Diet: He emphasized that he has been adhering to his diet, suggesting a structured approach to his nutrition.
- Focus on Health: Lewis's emphasis on health and well-being suggests a holistic approach to weight management, including a balanced diet and appropriate training.
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