UFC Fight Night 110's Derrick Lewis says he has the most heart in heavyweight division

If you feel compelled to write UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis about the shortcomings that accompany his knockout ability, save your characters.

“The Twitter trolls that say you suck, I don’t give a damn,” Lewis (18-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who next faces Mark Hunt (12-11-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 110, recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “I’m not doing it to be the best fighter in the world. I know I suck. I’m not that good. I’m just doing this for the money.”

Lewis vs. Hunt headlines UFC Fight Night 110, which takes place June 11 at Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The event airs live on FS1 (on June 10 in the U.S. due to the time difference) following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Apparently, not everyone enjoys the brand of violence Lewis brings to the octagon. But whatever you may think about the way he fights, the fact is Lewis has won six straight in the octagon, which gives him the longest winning streak among current heavyweights – one more than red-hot prospect Francis Ngannou, who just moved Stateside to attempt to take his MMA career to the next level.

None other than lightweight champ Conor McGregor is second to Lewis in knockout victories for active competitors in the UFC.

Lewis might not look like McGregor – or for someone his size, a prime Cain Velasquez – in the way he handles opponents. But where he fails to dismantle opponents, he succeeds in smashing them.

“I’m alright,” said Lewis, the No. 7 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings.

No. 11-ranked Hunt presents a more serious test to that statement. The former K-1 champion and onetime interim UFC title challenger is the most seasoned heavyweight fighter Lewis has ever faced. Put kickboxing and MMA together, and Hunt has far more knockouts.

Lewis almost had to take a seat when he took a body shot from Travis Browne, and then he broke his foot throwing a leg kick in his previous appearance at UFC Fight Night 105. At times, it seemed like Browne was just one shot away from ending that impressive win streak. But that fight proved the other part of Lewis’ ability to beat opponents better than him on paper.

“I’ve got more heart,” Lewis said. “I might not have the most skill, but I’ve got the most heart in the UFC, and especially the heavyweight division.”

Check out the video above for more from Lewis on MMAjunkie Radio.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 110, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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