The Black Beast is Out: Derrick Lewis Withdraws from UFC Fight Night 246
Ah, Derrick Lewis, the man who could make even a tumbleweed look intimidating in the heavyweight division. But this time, the only thing he’s stepping away from is the octagon! Late Friday evening, less than 24 hours before his much-anticipated matchup against Jhonata Diniz at UFC Fight Night 246, Lewis was—drumroll, please—removed for medical reasons. Talk about a cliffhanger that turned into a gentle nudge!
Now, for anyone wondering: ‘What could possibly be medically interesting enough to pull the heavyweight punching bag from action?’—we’re left in the dark, like a cat in a coal mine. The UFC announced Friday that Lewis (28-12 MMA, 19-10 UFC), known for his powerful strikes and jaw-dropping knockouts, wouldn’t be making an appearance—an atypical absence for a fighter so close to fight night. Medical reasons can include anything from an unfortunate pizza binge to a legitimate injury, or perhaps his body just had other plans!
Cue the suspenseful music: Diniz (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) found himself holding the bag—figuratively, of course—after gearing up for his first high-profile matchup. He trained for this moment like a squirrel preparing for winter, only to find that someone had kicked the branch he was sitting on! Poor Diniz must be wondering if he accidentally stepped into a UFC episode of “Wipeout!”
But fear not, fight fans! UFC Fight Night 246 will still roll on—somewhat like a train that’s lost a wheel but insists on making it to the destination. The card remains packed with 13 bouts! That’s like ordering 12 spicy wings and getting an extra one—no charge!
What’s Still On the Card?
Here’s a look at what’s still happening on the main card, happening tonight at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas
- Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
- Trevin Giles vs. Mike Malott
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Victor Henry vs. Charles Jourdain
- Jack Shore vs. Youssef Zalal
- Rodrigo Nascimento vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Garrett Armfield vs. Serhiy Sidey
- Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson
- Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrovic
So there you have it—a night still set to deliver fierce action and nail-biting moments, even if one heavyweight has decided to sit this one out. For more on the card, ensure you visit the MMA Junkie event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.
In summation: Derrick Lewis may not be taking the stage tonight, but the show must go on! Perhaps he’ll use this time to plot his return—or be the ‘cage potato’ we didn’t know we needed.
For updates, hit up the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to chat about this or anything that leaves you questioning your life choices!
Ladies and gentlemen, let’s address the elephant (or should I say, ‘the heavyweight’) in the room! Even though Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis won’t be throwing down this weekend, that doesn’t mean the rest of the card is off the rails. Imagine the drama of a soap opera with the intensity of a UFC showdown—yes, that’s what you’re in for!
In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated matchup featuring “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has been officially scrapped.
Late Friday evening, only a day before his scheduled clash with Jhonata Diniz at UFC Fight Night 246, it was announced by the promotion that Lewis had been withdrawn from the bout due to undisclosed medical issues. This announcement came as a shock, particularly since the fight was initially confirmed to proceed as planned during the earlier weigh-ins.
The heavyweight showdown was set to take place at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in an event that promised riveting fights to fans. Lewis, holding a record of 28 wins and 12 losses in MMA, along with an impressive 19-10 record in the UFC, did not attend the ceremonial weigh-ins, a rare occurrence for a fighter of his caliber, raising immediate concerns among fans and officials alike.
At this point, uncertainty looms over Jhonata Diniz (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who was gearing up for what would have been his first significant challenge against the seasoned Lewis. Diniz’s camp has yet to comment on his next steps following the cancellation.
Despite this unexpected setback, UFC Fight Night 246 will proceed with a full lineup of 13 bouts, ensuring fans can still enjoy a night of thrilling MMA action. The main card scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+ includes the following matchups:
- Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas
- Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro
- Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
- Trevin Giles vs. Mike Malott
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Aiemann Zahabi
- Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Victor Henry vs. Charles Jourdain
- Jack Shore vs. Youssef Zalal
- Rodrigo Nascimento vs. Alexandr Romanov
- Garrett Armfield vs. Serhiy Sidey
- Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson
- Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrovic
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 246.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
**Interview with MMA Analyst Alex Jenkins on Derrick Lewis’s Withdrawal from UFC Fight Night 246**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Alex. Derrick Lewis’s withdrawal from UFC Fight Night 246 just a day before his fight with Jhonata Diniz has caught everyone by surprise. What’s your take on this situation?
**Alex Jenkins:** Thanks for having me! It’s definitely a shocking turn of events. Derrick Lewis is not just a fan favorite; he’s a major draw in the heavyweight division. His absence just hours before the fight raises a lot of questions, especially since he was cleared to fight earlier during weigh-ins.
**Interviewer:** Right, and we still don’t have specific details on the reasons for his medical withdrawal. How concerning is this for his future in the UFC?
**Alex Jenkins:** It’s concerning, certainly. The UFC is a physically demanding sport, and any time a fighter pulls out for medical reasons, it can indicate something significant. Whether it’s a minor issue that just needs rest or something more serious, it’s essential for Lewis to prioritize his health. He’s had a lengthy career, and this could impact his ability to compete in the future.
**Interviewer:** Definitely. What does this mean for Jhonata Diniz, who was looking forward to this high-profile matchup?
**Alex Jenkins:** It’s tough for Diniz. He had trained hard for this opportunity against a well-known opponent, and now it’s essentially an emotional setback. He was ready to showcase his skills in front of a big audience, and that chance is taken away. He’ll likely still fight on the card, but it’s bound to be an adjustment.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the card, we still have a packed lineup for UFC Fight Night 246. What fights should fans keep an eye on?
**Alex Jenkins:** Absolutely, the card is still stacked. I would highlight the main event between Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi; both fighters have a lot to prove. Also, the co-main event featuring Erin Blanchfield against Rose Namajunas promises high stakes, with Blanchfield on an impressive rise. Those matchups could deliver some fireworks!
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Alex! what are your final thoughts on Derrick Lewis’s situation?
**Alex Jenkins:** Lewis is a veteran and will hopefully recover swiftly. It’s important for him to come back healthy; at the end of the day, the fans want to see “The Black Beast” at his best. Let’s hope he takes this time to heal and return to form soon.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Alex, for sharing your expertise. We’ll be watching the fights closely tonight!
**Alex Jenkins:** Thanks for having me! It’s an interesting night ahead in Edmonton.
