Derrick Lewis (image via YouTube / UFC)

By FCF Staff

Some may believe Derrick Lewis should have let his win on Saturday be a walk-off knockout. But, following his victory at UFC Vegas 19, Lewis explained why he hit a stiff Curtis Blaydes with extra punches.

Lewis instantly KO’d Blaydes in round two of their main event, by blasting the wrestler with an uppercut as he shot in. Before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight, Lewis hit Blaydes with more shots.

While talking to the media afterward, Lewis explained why he kept fighting until the referee stepped in (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I can’t just turn the switch off just like that,” Lewis said. “Some fighters can do that, but I can’t do it. I have to wait until the referee pulled me off because you never know what could happen. Anything could happen. He could’ve turned into (The) Undertaker and stood straight up and eat all those shots. You never know. You go until the referee says, ‘Chill out.’”

And while discussing the finishing flurry further, the 36-year-old heavyweight said this.

“All I was waiting on was just for him to shoot,” Lewis said. “Was just waiting for him to shoot and nothing else. We knew it was coming. … (My coaches and I), that’s what we’ve been drilling all month. Twelve weeks, really. Trying to get prepared for that guy.”

With the victory, Lewis (25-7) extended his winning streak to four. Blaydes (14-3) had won four in a row prior to Saturday’s fight.