Hate is a strong word, but Derrick Lewis cannot stand a UFC heavyweight.
Derrick Lewis has fought against whom WHO in heavyweight since entering the UFC more than 10 years ago.
Francis Ngannou, Daniel Cormier, Junior Dos Santos and Mark Hunt are just a few of the legends with which Lewis has had to deal with a UFC career of 30 fights. 16 of those fights have ended in a knockout for Lewis, where the UFC record holder has again lifted his hand in the headliner of UFC Nashville.
It was a fast night in the office for Lewis, because he took 35 seconds to TKO 6'7 ″ Skyscraper Tallison Teixeira in his 13th UFC Main Event.
A gamble underdog against the unbeaten prospect, says the knockout king of the UFC that this fight felt more personal than others.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Derrick Lewis says that Tallison Teixeira is the only opponent he 'hates'
Although there was a language barrier between Lewis and Teixeira in Brazil, Lewis suggests that Teixeira spoke about trash can in the Portuguese 'All Week'.
At the weightings on Friday, Lewis initially tried to prevent eye contact with Teixeira, but closed the eyes with his opponent after he stepped in his face and smiled.
After 42 Pro fights, Lewis admits that Teixeira is his 'most hated' opponent.
“I just hated that guy's face,” Lewis said about Teixeira on the post-show of UFC Nashville.
“I hated him.
I probably didn't hate another opponent except him. I hated him the most.
“Just his smile. I couldn't even really look at him because I just saw a smile on his face. I hate that guy,” Lewis added.
Derrick Lewis could not believe he was an underdog at UFC Nashville
Lewis says he had a 'chip on his shoulder' on his way to his last victory.
Despite a huge lead in experience, Lewis was a 2-on-1 bet underdog against the 8-0 Teixeira, which had one UFC fight prior to his first main event.
“I can't believe that I was an underdog to such a man,” said Lewis after the fight.
“I have been in this sport for a long time, although I had a few injuries or some things that have recently emerged, but I still shouldn't have been the underdog,” Lewis added.