Derrick Lewis Says He’s One Of The Highest-Paid Heavyweights Right Now

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Derrick Lewis said that he’s happy with his new UFC contract, as he thinks he’s one of the highest-paid heavyweights at the moment. Here are highlights:

On how he got more money: “I had threw a crazy number at them, and told them this is what I’d like, it’s the only way I’d fight, is for this certain amount of money. I didn’t even think they’d say okay, yeah, we’ll agree to that amount. I didn’t even think they would, and I was like, damn, I should have asked for more money then. And so they gave me the right type of contract that I wanted, and that’s the reason I’m fighting right now.”

On what he’s making: “Yeah right, I wish, it’s six figures but I wish it was seven. I wouldn’t be talking to you for free though. [But] yeah, it’s a big bump. I think it’s almost [by] half of what I made last fight. I’m probably one of the highest paid heavyweights right now.”

On his foot injury: “[The foot] is good, it’s pretty good, I’ve been doing some kicks with it a few days ago and it’s almost to 100 percent. It’s really my ribs now. My ribs are almost 100 percent as well. I said [after the Browne fight] I had to take a shit, but he really broke two of my ribs in the first round.”