LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 20: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 20, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Derrick Lewis: “My mom, she didn’t want me to play rugby cause it was too violent”
UFC heavyweight fighter Derrick Lewis was in attendance for the Houston SaberCats rugby game over the weekend. The “Black Beast” spoke on the Rugby Network on the field during the game and discussed his love for the sport and why he wasn’t allowed to compete.
“One of the best games I’ve ever been to, maybe it’s because of the drinks, maybe just because it’s a great game,” Lewis said. Watch the video here.
While mixed martial arts can obviously be considered as a violent sport, it was rugby that caused concern for Lewis’s mother.
“My mom, she didn’t want me to play rugby cause it was too violent, didn’t have protection, no head protection anything like that,” Lewis said.
“I love the sport, I’ve always loved the sport. I’ve watched it for years.
“I’m just so happy Houston finally got a rugby team.”
The SaberCats defeated the Toronto Arrows (29-17) at the Aveva Stadium in Houston on April 23.
Lewis is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Tai Tuivasa at UFC 271 earlier in the year.
