Derrick Lewis: 70 percent of heavyweights are on PEDs

Following his split decision victory over Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night 90, UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis wanted a rematch, then a shot at Brock Lesnar. But now that Lesnar's been popped for a banned substance, if - and when - Lewis gets his wish is up in the air.

However, Lewis wasn't surprised when news of Lesnar's violation broke, as he told The MMA Hour's Ariel Helwani on Monday that he estimates 70 percent of UFC heavyweights are using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). "The Black Beast" leaned more toward indifference than outrage.

"It doesn't piss me off at all," he said, according to Chuck Mindenhall of MMA Fighting. "It's just stupid for them to do that because they know that they’re getting random drug tests. They're willing to risk thousands of dollars for something so stupid like that, that’s not even going to help them."

Lewis also said he fought several fighters who were using PEDs before coming to the UFC.

"When I was fighting in the lower league, I was fighting a lot of guys that (were) on juice. It doesn't matter. That don't help you fight any better, to me. I'll still be eating fried chicken and McDonalds before my fight, and I feel fine."

Lewis has won four straight since his loss to Shawn Jordan in June of 2015, putting him just a couple of victories away from title contention. Aside from Lesnar, who he said he'd fight even if he were taking PEDs, Lewis mentioned Mark Hunt and Todd Duffee as logical next opponents. But his ideal matchup, if it was in the cards, would have to wait.

"Maybe against (Alistair) Overeem," he said. "I think he's going to beat Stipe (Miocic). If Overeem can stay clean … I know he's tempted right now to take them steroids, I know he's tempted … but if he can stay clean I'd say we can get at it by next year."

Overeem is scheduled to fight Miocic for the heavyweight title at UFC 203 in September.