Heavyweight MMA fans were geared up to see Derrick Lewis face off against up-and-coming fighter Jhonata Diniz at UFC Edmonton, held at Rogers Place in Canada. Known for his KO power and thrilling performances, Lewis was a major draw for the event, and his bout with the undefeated Diniz was highly anticipated. However, just before the ceremonial weigh-in, fans received unexpected news: Lewis would no longer be participating due to a medical issue unrelated to his weight cut.
Lewis successfully made weight on Friday, hitting the heavyweight limit of 266 pounds, but by later that day, he was pulled from the fight card. Speculation quickly spread among fans, eager to know more details about the reason behind the sudden withdrawal. The UFC confirmed the situation, sharing that the issue was “non-weight-cut related,” but updates were scarce, leaving supporters wondering.
On Saturday, Bob Perez, Lewis’s coach, took to Instagram to provide an update. Although Perez didn’t go into specifics about Lewis’s condition, he reassured fans that the heavyweight star was doing okay.
Derrick Lewis Coach Provides Health Update After UFC Edmonton Withdrawal
“As you know, Derrick was not medically cleared to fight tonight. It is a medical issue unrelated to weight cut. He’s doing fine. Thank you for reaching out to check on him,” Perez wrote.
This brief message from Perez was a relief for those concerned about Lewis’s health, though the exact nature of the medical issue remains undisclosed.
Despite no further details from Lewis himself, his coach’s words brought some comfort. The lack of concrete information has led to continued speculation, but it’s clear that the UFC and Lewis’s team made the decision with his well-being in mind.
Following the event, UFC Executive Vice President Dave Shaw, who was handling the post-fight press conference, addressed questions about Lewis’s absence. Filling in for UFC President Dana White, Shaw echoed the earlier statements, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to fighter safety.
Dave Shaw Updates Fans on Lewis
“There’s really no update beyond what the official release was,” Shaw explained. “It was a non-fight-related medical issue and not a weight cut-related medical issue.”
Shaw elaborated on the events leading up to the decision, noting that the circumstances were unfolding in real time.
“The situation was yesterday it was all happening in real time. So, we didn’t have enough answers at the point of the ceremonial weigh-in yesterday,” Shaw said.
He explained that while Lewis had to make a typical weight cut, the issue arose afterward, leading him to receive medical attention.
“He weighed in yesterday morning, he had to cut a bit but that’s not uncommon for him. Over the course of the afternoon, he started to get medical treatment, and we just didn’t have any answers.”
According to Shaw, the team ultimately felt that the right call was to ensure Lewis’s safety and proceed without him.
“There’s no substitute for taking the safe road when it comes to fighter health and safety, so it was the right decision for him not to compete,” he concluded.
For many fans, Lewis’s withdrawal was a disappointment, but fighter’s health should always be the priority.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
