Marcos Rogerio de Lima known as out Derrick Lewis previous to his bout with Waldo Cortes-Acosta in April, then secured the chance with an unanimous determination victory.
Lewis vs. de Lima goes down Saturday evening at UFC 291 in Salt Lake Metropolis and options athletes in opposing moments of their careers. “Pezão” has received 4 of his previous 5 bouts, with half of these wins coming by means of stoppage, whereas “The Black Beast” has his again firmly towards the wall after shedding 4 of his previous 5 fights over a span of 23 months.
De Lima stated this week on MMA Preventing’s Trocação Franca podcast that his supervisor wasn’t a fan of the matchmaking since First Spherical Administration additionally manages Lewis, however acknowledged nonetheless that the Lewis matchup “was the struggle to make.” The Brazilian heavyweight stated “I’ve an aggressive model” so “it’s an excellent struggle for the [UFC].”
“I feel my sport matches up fairly effectively with Lewis,’ de Lima stated. “Not solely that, trying on the rankings, I assumed that was the perfect struggle, particularly since he has fought for the belt twice. He’s one of many few guys that has defeated Francis Ngannou, so he has energy within the division. I feel his sport, his model matches up effectively for me. I’m ready for my second. Final 12 months I stated I used to be going to finish the 12 months at No. 15 or nearer, and I’m [No. 15] now.”
Hoping that one other octagon victory grants him a spot on the upcoming UFC Sao Paulo card on Nov. 4 in Brazil, de Lima stated he expects Lewis to deliver his peak efficiency to the excessive altitude in Salt Lake Metropolis, however promised to finally be an excessive amount of for the veteran.
“I’m going there to struggle MMA,” de Lima stated. “I’m positive I’m sooner and extra explosive than him, I’ve higher conditioning, and I’ll discover all that always. The struggle begins on the ft and I’ve extra weapons than him. He’s a powerful man with a heavy proper hand, however I also can take this struggle to the bottom.
“I see myself higher than him technically talking, too. My wrestling and jiu-jitsu are higher than him. I’m higher than him in all areas. It’s all about feeling the second and never make any errors as a result of he has knockout energy. I belief my pace and chin, and I’m in my prime to face him.”