Derrick Lewis signs new contract with the UFC…

Derrick Lewis never actually left the UFC. His contract had expired, which is important to note because sometimes fighters in advantageous positions will use their leverage to negotiate. However, in this case, it was the UFC's decision to let his contract expire. This distinction is significant because it means that Lewis wasn't actively trying to use his status to his advantage or force anyone's hand. Looking ahead, Lewis has several potential options for his next fight. He could potentially face Francis Ngannou in a rematch, as well as explore opportunities in the PFL in 2024. At this point, it's difficult to speculate who his next opponent might be, as there are many factors to consider. However, when Lewis's name comes up, it carries weight and recognition in the MMA community. It's worth noting that the decision to let Lewis's contract expire was not a strategic move on his part, but rather a result of the UFC's decision-making process. This ensures that there is no confusion about his intentions or actions. The expiration of his contract was simply a part of the overall algorithm, so to speak, that the UFC follows when managing fighter contracts.

The concept is essentially that a man of a certain age is not the ideal candidate to re-sign and start with. Instead, we should be looking for someone who is 19 to 24 years old, someone we can nurture and develop into a well-known figure. We want someone who people are willing to invest their time and money in to witness greatness. However, the business algorithm isn't always accurate, and it becomes challenging to tell someone like Derek Lewis or his supporters, who are all of us, that he is too old for this. Especially when he just proved himself perfectly. If I were a strict MMA coach and had to critique him, it would be tough because he was as close to perfect as we have ever seen, both athletically and in his interaction with Joe Rogan. Speaking of which, not enough people are talking about that incredible moment between them. Joe Rogan, a consummate professional and trained comedian, was laughing so hard that he lost his train of thought. It was truly a remarkable sports moment. Having the crowd right there, giving their approval, only added to the specialness of it all. So now, with everything seemingly going Derek's way, what's next?

We should have re-signed him. We have a specific algorithm that we follow, but sometimes things slip through the cracks. It seems like this might be one of those cases. Now we have to figure out what to do because he might go to the media and make threats. He has a specific way of doing things, and in that moment, he made it clear that he wanted to be re-signed. He didn't discuss other options or negotiations like you usually hear. He approached the situation differently and was treated differently as a result. I'm pointing this out because it's important to study these situations and learn how to handle them. Look at what others have done in similar situations. Going back to talking about Derek, he handled it perfectly. Now he has an eight-fight deal, which is impressive. Our algorithm is usually reliable, but everyone has an expiration point, especially in terms of athletic performance. That's why it's important to pay attention to the numbers. Sometimes, the algorithm might say that someone can't do it anymore, but then you have cases like Tom Brady who defy expectations. I remember a player named Emmett Smith who was in a similar situation, but the algorithm said he couldn't perform anymore. Derek, on the other hand, had a perfect performance, interview, and negotiation. His negotiation was simply expressing what he wanted in a friendly manner. It was different from other experiences, but it was effective in getting him what he wanted quickly.

Who knows? Maybe we'll learn something new and improve our algorithm even more.