LAS VEGAS – Derrick Lewis has revealed what caused him to pull out just hours ahead of his UFC return last November.
Lewis revealed Wednesday that COVID-19 forced him out of what was supposed to be his main event bout against Serghei Spivac at UFC Fight Night 215. Originally, the UFC communicated in a press release that it was due to illness unrelated to weight cutting.
“Sh*t, I got COVID,” Lewis told reporters at media day ahead of UFC Fight Night 218. “It was COVID, but I still wanted to fight. I didn’t find out that I had COVID until I got home and got tested. I got COVID and things got worse from there.”
Lewis (26-10 MMA, 17-8 UFC) said his infection got pretty bad after he got home, and kept him out for a good bit.
“I got pretty sick,” Lewis said. “I got a fever and started losing weight and throwing up and everything you could imagine. I was falling asleep randomly. I’m feeling good now.”
“The Black Beast” was upset that he didn’t get to fight Spivac (15-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), but he’s glad the matchup was re-booked. He feels more than ready to step into the cage and get the job done on Saturday night.
“Oh, for sure (I was upset) because we worked hard getting ready for that also, and I believe that we worked even harder for this one.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 218.
