The Derrick Lewis next fight news should come soon as “The Black Beast” looks to begin a new win streak. We look at the likely options for his next opponent inside the Octagon and review his latest edition to his UFC knockout record.
Who will Derrick Lewis next fight be against?
Following a dominant five-round loss in November of 2023, “Black Beast” got back to his winning and knockout ways in May when he scored a UFC St. Louis victory over Rodrigo Nascimento. Now that he is back in the win column, there are a lot of interesting options ahead for Lewis but his most likely next foe will probably be Tai Tuivasa, Alexandr Romanov, or Marcin Tybura.
- Bam Bam: Lewis and Tuivasa had a wild clash at UFC 271 in 2022 that saw the Australian score a shocking knockout win. A rematch as the American looks for revenge would make sense for the company if they were looking to put on the most entertaining fights possible for their KO king.
- The Russian: Romanov is a top-15 level fighter that Lewis has yet to fight. If the two-time title challenger is looking for a fresh opponent a booking with the Russian is a sensible option.
- Tybur: Since Lewis scored a third-round KO over Tybura in 2018 their careers have gone in very different directions and “Tybur” is now the higher-ranked fighter. A chance at redemption, when Lewis is not quite the fighter he used to be, might appeal to Tybura.
Derrick Lewis vs Rodrigo Nascimento recap
Despite some early challenges, Derrick Lewis was able to add to his UFC KO record in May when he scored another destructive victory in St. Louis to get back in the win column.
What happened: Lewis was a solid favorite against Nascimento but looked like an underdog early when he was taken down and mounted in Round 1. However, he was able to battle out and take back the momentum in the second frame. Then in the third round, the 39-year-old unleashed one of his patented power shots that floored his opponent and earned him his 23rd KO win.
The fallout: It was a win that the big man needed so he could avoid another losing streak. It showed he is as dangerous as ever and it earned him a second victory in his last three fights. It likely got him a spot back in the top 10.
The roadmap: There is no reason for the UFC to rush Lewis into a high-profile fight against a top contender. They should continue to rebuild his resume, place him in fan-friendly fights with other dangerous strikers, and let him be as entertaining as he can be.
What makes Derrick Lewis so popular?
You would think being named “The Black Beast” should strike fear in the hearts of observers of the sport. However, in the case of Lewis, while he surely gives opponents cold sweats, he has become a beloved and comedic figure in the MMA industry. From his admiration of Popeye’s chicken to his hilariously infamous hot balls moment at UFC 229 in 2018, he has become an adored and one-of-a-kind figure in the UFC.
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However, what the Texan has done inside the Octagon is no laughing matter as he has charted a path of destruction over his decade fight in the UFC.
- Derrick Lewis record: 28-12 (23 knockouts, 1 submission)
- Lewis has the most KOs in UFC history at 14. Six of those came in the first round
- During his time in the promotion, Lewis has scored notable wins against familiar names like Roy Nelson, Travis Browne, Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes (twice), Aleksei Oleinik, and even current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
- Lewis has lost in both of his heavyweight title opportunities. In 2018 versus Daniel Cormier, and last year against Gane in an interim championship bout.
- “The Black Beast” hit a new stratosphere of popularity with his infamous “my balls were hot” moment in 2018. Where he removed his fight shorts before a victory interview with Joe Rogan
- Before he became an MMA star, Lewis spent three-and-a-half years in jail for a parole violation
Derrick Lewis’ net worth
The measure of a fighter often comes down to the bucks they’ve made during a career of fisticuffs. As of right now, Derrick Lewis’ net worth is speculated to be upwards of $1.5 million.
