Surging UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis explains why he wants hard-hitting Mark Hunt next

For the next three months, Derrick Lewis is treating the UFC like his “side chick.” But when he starts taking phone calls from the promotion, he hopes to hear Mark Hunt will be his next opponent.

The way Lewis (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC) explains it, calling out Hunt (12-10-1 MMA, 7-4-1 UFC) is the last step on the heavyweight ladder before a title shot. After his knockout win over Travis Browne (18-6-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 105, he could use that one last bump.

“I just wanted one more tough fight before I get to the champ,” Lewis told MMAjunkie Radio on Wednesday. “I just want people to notice that I’ve got what it takes to be a champ. And I believe Mark Hunt is one of the toughest guys out there.”

Lewis has that right. Hunt is known for his legendary chin and willingness to throw hands with anyone in the cage. Although he’s tied up in the near term with a booking against Alistair Overeem at UFC 209, and he does have a lawsuit pending against the UFC, he’s unlikely to turn down Lewis if a title shot were on the line.

Prior to an overturned loss to former champ Brock Lesnar at UFC 200, Hunt had won two straight in the octagon after knocking out Antonio Silva and ex-champ Frank Mir. He’s currently the No. 10 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings.

With an impressive six straight wins, Lewis is the No. 7 guy. But his callouts don’t necessarily follow the rankings. He requested Browne because he wanted to test himself against a fighter whom he considered to be more well-rounded in the cage. Now that he’s passed that challenge, he wants to step it up against a fighter with possibly the heaviest hands in the division.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 105, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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