Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis want to face each other following UFC Vegas 6

Derrick Lewis says he’s going to beat Curtis Blaydes at his own game, and Blaydes is more than willing to oblige him.

Derek Lewis looked impressive last night in UFC Apex, putting away Aleksei Oleinik with his hands early in the second round after surviving the first in Oleinik’s world - on the ground. Lewis has fought a lot of the other ranked fighters in the division, and currently sits at number four in the rankings. Naturally, he’d like to move up to get a title shot.

So who happens to be right above him, and is one of the few guys he’s hasn’t stepped into the Octagon with yet?

Enter Curtis Blaydes, who called out The Black Beast just minutes after his win over Oleinik on social media:

At the post-fight press conference, Lewis amusing stated that he wants to go in there against Blaydes and beat him at his own game (transcribed by MMA Fighting):

“That’d be perfect to fight Curtis next,” Lewis said. “All he’s going to do is try to grab me and hold me and try to win a decision. He’s not going to try to finish me. If he do try to finish me, that’s fine, but I do believe I can take Curtis down and punish him on the ground.

“Yeah, put that on the headline. Make the headlines, go ahead. Type it. That’s headlines right there. I’m going to take Curtis Blaydes down and finish him.”

Blaydes was made aware of this, and says he’s good to go with that:

It seems like the most logical matchup for both men, so why not? I highly doubt that Lewis will engage Blaydes where’s best, but the style matchup could make for a great fight.