“The Black Beast” is ready, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him inside the Octagon. No. 4 ranked UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis was scheduled to take on No. 2 ranked Curtis Blaydes in the main event of UFC Vegas 15, however Blaydes tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.
According to a report from ESPN, the UFC is hoping to reschedule the bout for December.
Should the fight happen next month, Lewis (24-7, 1 no contest) will look to go 3-0 in 2020 and extend his winning streak to four by toppling “Razor” Blaydes (14-2, 1 no contest). It’s an exciting clash in the heavyweight division and the victor could be the next in line for a title shot behind No. 1 ranked Francis Ngannou.
UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and Ngannou are the likely next pairing for a divisional title fight, however, the match has still not been announced by the UFC and the fight may not take place until at least March 2021.
There have been many cases throughout UFC history of fighters willingly taking themselves out of active competition to wait for a title shot. But, don’t expect Lewis to wait around for a shot at the belt.
In an interview with Heavy, The Black Beast said his main priority with fighting is to provide for his family, not winning a championship he would not put himself on the shelf and await a title shot. Although he believes he deserves a title fight after Ngannou should he defeat Blaydes, the belt isn’t his main priority, remaining active is.