Derrick Lewis Takes Aim at Daniel Cormier in Edmonton
At an October 30, 2024 media day in Edmonton, Derrick Lewis criticized former opponent Daniel Cormier after being asked which fight he would want to run back. Lewis called Cormier names, then joked that the dispute involved Cormier disrespecting Popeyes chicken. Their exchange drew attention before Lewis’s scheduled bout with Jhonata Diniz.
The exchange and its context
Lewis and Cormier previously fought for the heavyweight title in November 2018. Cormier won by second-round submission. At the media day, Lewis gave little explanation beyond the Popeyes joke. Cormier later said he wondered if Lewis remained upset about earlier comments in which Cormier had urged him to consider retiring after a losing stretch. That was Cormier’s interpretation, not a confirmed explanation from Lewis. MMA Fighting’s account documents both sides’ comments and their past fight.
The scheduled bout was canceled
Lewis was set to face Diniz on November 2 at Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi, but the bout was removed from the card on event day because of a non-weight-cut-related medical issue. The promotion announced the cancellation; Lewis did not compete in Edmonton. The incident therefore did not become a fight-week matchup or a face-to-face confrontation with Cormier.
The episode was a brief media-day exchange between former opponents. The available reporting leaves Lewis’s exact reason uncertain, so explanations beyond his own joke and Cormier’s speculation should not be treated as fact.
Sources
- MMA Fighting: Lewis’s comments and Cormier’s response
- Official notice canceling Lewis vs. Diniz
- Official event page and results
