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UFC Heavyweight KO Artist Sends Explicit Message to the Division After Begging for a Fight

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated May 31, 2025 8:52 AM ET

UFC Nashville is shaping up to deliver a summer spectacle on July 12 at the Bridgestone Arena. The card, already gaining momentum, recently added a high-stakes welterweight clash between Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson and Gabriel Bonfim, who is currently riding a two-fight winning streak. But while the spotlight may be shared, the centerpiece of the event remains a slugfest between two of the hardest-hitting heavyweights on the roster—one of whom isn’t pulling punches outside the cage either.

Derrick Lewis, never shy with his words, had a few unfiltered thoughts about the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division. In a candid conversation with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Lewis admitted the booking didn’t come easy:

'I damn near had to beg to get this fight, you know. So, I don't know what's going on. Hopefully we can stay active after this.'

But it was his next few comments that turned heads. Frustrated by callouts and perceived disrespect, Lewis suggested a wild deterrent:

'I think what I need to start doing now, once I knock guys out, is start putting my finger in their a**. You know, people don’t want to call me out afterwards.'

He doubled down, adding:

'If I start putting my finger in my opponent’s a** while they knocked out on the ground, I don’t think nobody want to call me out anymore.'

And finally, with signature flair:

'No diddy.'

Though outrageous, Lewis’s irritation isn’t without cause. The heavyweight division remains in limbo, with no clear resolution on whether Jon Jones will retire or if Dana White and the UFC plan to strip him of the title. Until then, fighters like Lewis are left navigating uncertainty while trying to stay active in a stalled division.

His upcoming bout against the undefeated Tallison Teixeira should be a solid clash, offering a chance to make a definitive statement in a murky title picture.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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