Josh Hokit says Derrick Lewis quit at UFC 324, lost his respect
Josh Hokit believes Derrick Lewis quit during his stoppage loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 and plans to expose that weakness on June 14.
The heavyweight prospect, who faces Lewis at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn, told UFC on Paramount that the former title challenger abandoned the fight after eating a jab that put him down. Cortes-Acosta followed with ground strikes until the referee intervened, but the moment Lewis hit the canvas raised questions among fans about his willingness to continue. Hokit shares that view.
Hokit questions Lewis's mental commitment after January stoppage
"In his last fight, he gave up," Hokit said, per MMA Mania. "It's hard to respect a man who gives up on himself. They talk about 16 knockouts and all this — on paper, he's a respectable opponent, and he has a big name, but it won't matter if your mind isn't there."
Hokit stopped Curtis Blaydes in his previous outing, a back-and-forth war that marked just his third UFC appearance. Taking Lewis in his fourth promotional bout represents a steep jump, but the 27-year-old cited speed and cardio as advantages over the promotion's all-time knockout leader. He added that his will surpasses Lewis's at this stage of their careers.
Lewis has blamed weight-cutting issues and back problems for his struggles against Cortes-Acosta, telling media he walked into that fight at 296 pounds after the cut. Hokit dismissed those explanations and said tactics and skill matter more than size. If his read on Lewis's commitment is accurate, he could hand the veteran a second straight loss on the sport's biggest stage. If he misjudged, one Lewis right hand could send him to the canvas on live television from the nation's capital.
Photo: {From YouTube|1=vAd1ikaxclM=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAd1ikaxclM / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Original reporting:
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