New York’s UFC 230 main event is finally set: Daniel Cormier v. Derrick Lewis for the UFC Heavyweight Title

For weeks, The UFC has been scrambling to find a proper main event for UFC 230 in New York City. They dabbled with a few ideas, but they haven’t worked out for the better. After throwing one last dart at the board, it appears they found their crown jewel.

Derrick Lewis will fight on short rest to face Daniel Cormier for the UFC Heavyweight Title at UFC 230. ESPN was the first to report the blockbuster news.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1049806976794877953

Many are surprised that Lewis (21-5, 1 NC) is taking a fight like this, especially after the night he had. He defeated Alexander Volkov at UFC 229 this past weekend via KO with only a few seconds left in the three-round fight. The win made him 9-1 in his last ten fights, while also riding a three-fight win streak. With the damage he sustained up until the last 30 seconds, it was unknown when he was even stepping into the octagon again. Now, he will pull a Michael Bisping and fight in a last-minute match.

Cormier (21-1, 1 NC) won the UFC Heavyweight Championship from Stipe Miocic at UFC 226 back in July. By doing so, he became a double champion, holding the Light Heavyweight Title as well. Cormier is currently on a two-fight win streak, with a no contest added from the controversial Jon Jones loss at UFC 214. The former Strikeforce and King of the Cage Heavyweight Champion will look to use his wrestling ability to slow down the cardio-deficient Lewis.

Now that this was announced, the proposed Valentina Shevchenko v. Sijara Eubanks Flyweight Title fight has been canceled. The original plan of Valentina v. Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231 will be happening again.

If all goes according to plan, we could be witnessing history. These two would be the first pair of African American MMA fighters to compete for the UFC Heavyweight Title.

Don’t think these two friends are going to play nice. They have a nice feud going, all thanks to Popeyes. Lewis was kind enough to give the UFC’s media department a break and create a hype video for the fight.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Boug11pHPbY/?utm_source=ig_embed

This is why people love the man. That, and his fantastic interviews.

With rumors of the UFC stripping Cormier of his Light Heavyweight Title, and Brock Lesnar not ready until early 2019, this could be a tuneup fight for Cormier. That is, if he was to get the win.

Are you satisfied with this as your main event?

UFC 230 takes place on November 3 inside Madison Square Garden. Tickets are available at the MSG box office or Ticketmaster.com.