Heavyweight star ‘The Black Beast’ Derrick Lewis is the first to admit he’s not the hardest working man in the gym, but after being handed a title opportunity against Daniel Cormier at UFC 230 in New York City next month he’s now taking his training to the next level.
“Not just the title on the line, whenever I saw my contract and see the zeroes, I was like, ‘OK, I can start training now,’” Lewis told reporters at a media day yesterday. “Before, like I told y’all before, I don’t stay in the gym like everyone else does, my opponents. It’s pretty obvious, after the fight I’m laying all over the floor, I’m tired. Ready to go sit my ass down somewhere.
“But this fight right here, I’ve really been training all day long. Drinking more water than I need to be drinking. Really taking it more serious. There’s not gonna be no excuses for myself — win, lose or draw.”
Lewis, who said the fight is likely to earn him an extra $1 million, also warned Cormier not to take him lightly heading into the relatively short-notice encounter.
“He’s thinking it’s gonna be an easy fight for his self. But go ahead and think that. It’s just crazy that I even made it this far with the type of training I’ve been putting in before each and every fight. I’m serious. I don’t stay in the gym all day like all my opponents do. I stay for 30 minutes, 35 minutes — and five minutes on my phone posting memes and stuff. But this camp right here, I’ve been really at the gym all day long.”
