Marcos Rogerio de Lima needs one other go-round with Derrick Lewis and is assured the “The Black Beast” gained’t have the ability to replicate his efficiency at UFC 291.
De Lima, who now faces last-minute fill-in Junior Tafa at UFC 298 after Junior changed his brother Justin Tafa for Saturday’s card, mentioned on MMA Combating’s Trocação Franca podcast that he nonetheless must rematch Lewis after dropping the primary match in simply 33 seconds in July 2023, and he is aware of past a shadow of a doubt that he beats Lewis 9 occasions out of 10.
“I used to be in my greatest form that night time,” de Lima mentioned. “There was the altitude issue, however I went there early and tailored properly. I had a superb camp and used the whole lot I had to have the ability to win the battle. He went there and threw that knee, and that saved him from consuming numerous punches, as a result of I used to be properly ready that night time. I see the whole lot that occurred as a studying expertise. When there’s studying, there aren’t any losses. I’ll proceed my path and I’m certain we’ll meet once more, as a result of that battle didn’t even begin.”
De Lima has completed the likes of Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell all through his 10-7 run within the UFC. The one title out of these 17 opponents he wish to rematch is Lewis, as a result of, he mentioned, “folks wished to see that battle, and so they haven’t seen it but.” Lewis landed a surprising flying knee simply seconds into the match that knocked the Brazilian down, then adopted up with punches to drive referee Dan Miragliotta to finish the bout.
“It was a tough second for me, as a result of I skilled a lot for that battle,” de Lima mentioned. “I used to be injured after I took that battle, however I took it as a result of I requested the UFC for it. It was powerful to swallow that loss, as a result of I didn’t even battle.
“The one means he’d beat me could be doing one thing loopy, a fortunate punch, as a result of I used to be so well-prepared for that battle.”
De Lima mentioned he plans to stroll by way of each single man the UFC places in entrance of him till the Lewis rematch is booked.
“The lesson right here is to begin somewhat slower, and don’t let the feelings take over,” Lima mentioned. “I get higher because the battle progresses, so I’ve to begin gradual and be much less emotional, after which go for a battle.”