Derrick Lewis Looking To Stay A “Beast” Against Mark Hunt

Saturday, June 10th 2017: MMA

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt

When Derrick The Beast Lewis (18-4-1) knocked out Travis Browne in a fight of the night performance in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the world took notice. The awkward but dominant win, which had Lewis doubled over from stomach pain most of the bout, and the KO sent a message that the Texan was here to stay.

Fight Night Auckland: Derrick Lewis – The Fans Will See Fireworks

A meeting between heavyweight contenders Derrick Lewis and Mark Hunt guarantees fireworks. Watch them meet in the main event of Fight Night Auckland live on FS1 this Saturday.

The confident Lewis actually made a crass romantic overture to Brownes fianc, Ronda Rousey, in the post-fight interview, cementing his fearlessness to most. Now he faces the biggest challenge in his career against tough-as-nails veteran fighter Mark Hunt (12-11-1) in enemy territory in Auckland, New Zealand.

Hunt, the biggest fighting star of New Zealand, is no stranger to fighting big men with confidence. The last two times he fought in Australia he won decisively, knocking out Frank Mir and Antonio Silva both in the first round. With his UFC 200 loss to Brock Lesnar being ruled a No Contest due to Lesnars positive test for performance enhancing drugs, Hunt is currently rebounding from a KO loss to Alistair Overeem.

Mark Hunt on fighting in New Zealand: ‘This is my hood’ | UFC TONIGHT

SUBSCRIBE for more from UFC ON FOX: https://www.youtube.com/ufconfox?sub_confirmation=1 Mark Hunt joined Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian on UFC Tonight to discuss his upcoming fight vs. Derrick Lewis in New Zealand.

Lewis, however, is making a great case for a title shot. He’s currently on 6-0 win streak over notables such as Roy Nelson and a first round KO of Gabriel Gonzaga. With current UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic keeping Cleveland in the winners circle despite the Cavaliers’ current playoffs chances, Lewis is one step closer to the big man if he defeats Hunt.

Catch all the action this Saturday live from Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand on FS1 at 10 pm EST / 7 pm PST.

Sunday, June 11th 2017: Boxing

Brandon Rios vs. Aaron Herrera

Most people heard of Brandon Bam Bam Rios (33-3-1) for the first time when he fought Manny Pacquiao back in 2013. However, the former prized pupil of Robert Garcias Oxnard, CA-based training grounds put in much work before meeting Pac-Man in Macau.

He held the WBA lightweight title in 2011 and is known for the classic aggressive pressure style that characterizes most top-level Mexican fighters. Rios three losses were to quality champions like Mike Alvarado, who he holds two wins over Timothy Bradley, and the aforementioned Manny Pacquiao. Of the three, Bradley was the only one to knock Rios out. 

Greatest Hits: Brandon Rios (HBO Boxing)

Subscribe to HBO Sports: http://itsh.bo/10qIJDl Watch some of the best moments in the career of all-action slugger Brandon Rios. Bradley vs. Rios happens Saturday, November 7 live on HBO beginning at 930pm ET/PT. HBO Boxing on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hboboxing HBO Boxing on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HBOboxing HBO Boxing Official Site: http://itsh.bo/HQslC8.

Now training out of Ten Goose Boxing in Van Nuys, California, Rios hopes the new camp and new strategic voices will get his career back into the win column.

There’s nothing against (former trainer) Robert Garcia, I respect him and he got me to where I am today, but I felt like I got too used to that situation, said Rios at the pre-fight media workout.

His opponent, Aaron Herrera (32-6-1), is currently on a three-fight win streak, of which all those fights were in Mexico. His only three American appearances all yielded losses, which could be a good thing for Rios if the pattern holds consistent. 

With the bout being contested at welterweight and being promoted under the Premier Boxing Champions banner, it is highly probable that Rios is trying to stake his claim in boxings current it division. His last three forays into the welterweight ranks yielded a 1-2 record but with a style and a name, a few wins could put Rios back in contention.

Catch all the action live from The Pioneer Event Center in Lancaster, CA on FS1 and FOX Deportes at 10:30 pm EST / 7:30 pm PST.

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