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LAS VEGAS – Derrick Lewis is surprised that Ilir Latifi wants to face him.

Latifi (14-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) will move up to heavyweight and take on former UFC heavyweight title challenger Lewis (22-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) at UFC 247 in Houston on Feb. 8, where Latifi will make the move up from 205 pounds.

Speaking to MMA Junkie and other reporters Saturday backstage at UFC 245, Lewis said he actually thought the short and stocky Latifi would move down a weight class, not up.

“It was a real surprise that they chose Latifi because I believe that he was a small 205-er and for anything, he should have went down to 185 instead of coming up to heavyweight,” Lewis said. “And I heard that he had called me out, and wanted to fight me, so it was a real surprise to me, that he wanted to pick the biggest guy in the division, like the fattest guy in the division.”

Latifi has struggled as of late, suffering back-to-back losses to Corey Anderson and Volkan Oezdemir. He hopes to find new life at heavyweight, but Lewis doesn’t see him bringing anything to the table that he hasn’t seen before.

“I know he’s an explosive guy, he’s a wrestler or what. I don’t think he’ll be any different than anyone else,” Lewis said.

Three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion had the most memorable big show debut in UFC president Dana White’s memory at UFC 257, destroying #6 ranked , and ultimately taking the #4 spot. During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, “Iron” talked about what he wants next – #1 contender , for the belt (assuming retired division champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired).

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“I think with Dustin Poirier’s performance, I think with my performance, I think both of those warrant for us to fight for the title next,” argued Chandler. “Dustin Poirier needs to be one half of that world title conversation, obviously. He’s earned it.”

Poirier is adamant that no one should get a title shot after one fight in the UFC, and has plans if his first choice isn’t met.

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“If I don’t get the next title shot, I understand why,” said Chandler. “I’m just kind of taking it in stride. I will be indifferent about that decision. I think [#2 ranked ] is a fight that excites me. I think it’s a fight where I match up extremely well. You had a guy who I tangled with a couple times named , who beat Justin Gaethje whenever they fought for the unofficial title of most violent guy in the UFC. Eddie Alvarez won that fight. I think I’m the new most violent guy in the UFC, if Justin Gaethje wants to prove that, he’s gonna need to step into the octagon against me.”

Chandler was offered a short-notice fight vs. #3 ranked , and flew to Florida to train for it, but “do Bronx” declined the offer.

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“I was ready to stay [in Florida] and train for the next eight days and then hop on a flight to Vegas,” said Chandler. “This opportunity did not come to fruition based on the other person saying no. But I said yes, I’m trying to get some clarity in this lightweight division.”

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UG, is Michael Chandler the most violent man in the UFC, and who do you want to see him fight next?

h/t Hunter Brownstein for Yahoo Sports

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