BEAST’S TARGET

Derrick wants crack at champ Miocic

DERRICK LEWIS reckons beating Francis Ngannou should put him in pole position for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title.

The pair clash at UFC 226 in Las Vegas a week on Saturday and American Lewis said: “It makes so much sense to give me a crack at the belt if I win.”

The 33-year-old, currently ranked No.5, goes into the contest on the back of a third round KO over Marcin Tybura.

Cameroon fighter Ngannou is still No.1 contender despite losing a title challenge on points to champion Stipe Miocic in January.

Now ‘The Beast’ says he should be next in line if Ngannou loses again.

“Miocic’s already beaten most in the top five,” he said. “I don’t think any of them are worthy of meeting him again so that leaves me and Ngannou.

“It makes a lot of sense for me to be next up to get the title shot, providing I beat Ngannou.”

Ngannou, 31, won his first six bouts in the UFC before finding Miocic too hot to handle.

That loss in Boston ended an unbeaten MMA run of 10 for Ngannou but Lewis (19-5-0) said: “Beating Francis won’t do much for me because the guy has got to where he is right now on luck.

“He should have been fighting someone tough like Mark Hunt instead of old guys who are already on the downside of their career.”

UFC 226 will be headlined by Miocic’s fourth defence of his heavyweight belt against the American Daniel Cormier.