Marcos Rogerio de Lima desires one other go-round with Derrick Lewis and is assured the “The Black Beast” received’t be capable to replicate his efficiency at UFC 291.
De Lima, who now faces last-minute fill-in Junior Tafa at UFC 298 after Junior changed his brother Justin Tafa for Saturday’s card, mentioned on MMA Preventing’s Trocação Franca podcast that he nonetheless must rematch Lewis after dropping the primary match in simply 33 seconds in July 2023, and he is aware of past a shadow of a doubt that he beats Lewis 9 occasions out of 10.
“I used to be in my greatest form that evening,” de Lima mentioned. “There was the altitude issue, however I went there early and tailored effectively. I had a very good camp and used all the pieces I had to have the ability to win the battle. He went there and threw that knee, and that saved him from consuming plenty of punches, as a result of I used to be effectively ready that evening. I see all the pieces that occurred as a studying expertise. When there’s studying, there are not any losses. I’ll proceed my path and I’m certain we are going to meet once more, as a result of that battle didn’t even begin.”
De Lima has completed the likes of Andrei Arlovski and Ben Rothwell all through his 10-7 run within the UFC. The one identify out of these 17 opponents he want to rematch is Lewis, as a result of, he mentioned, “individuals needed to see that battle, and so they haven’t seen it but.” Lewis landed a shocking flying knee simply seconds into the match that knocked the Brazilian down, then adopted up with punches to drive referee Dan Miragliotta to finish the bout.
“It was a troublesome second for me, as a result of I educated a lot for that battle,” de Lima mentioned. “I used to be injured once I took that battle, however I took it as a result of I requested the UFC for it. It was powerful to swallow that loss, as a result of I didn’t even battle.
“The one means he’d beat me could be doing one thing loopy, a fortunate punch, as a result of I used to be so well-prepared for that battle.”
De Lima mentioned he plans to stroll by way of each single man the UFC places in entrance of him till the Lewis rematch is booked.
“The lesson right here is to start out a bit slower, and don’t let the feelings take over,” Lima mentioned. “I get higher because the battle progresses, so I’ve to start out gradual and be much less emotional, after which go for a battle.”
