The Derrick Lewis next fight news has arrived and the man known as “Black Beast” has booked his UFC return for later this year. But who will the two-time UFC title challenger be facing in his next fight?
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 victory over Rodrigo Nascimento. Now the 39-year-old will make his highly anticipated return in November against fast-rising prospect Jhonata Diniz.
Also Read: UFC tonight – Full fight card, start time, TV info, and betting odds for Saturday’s UFC event
How to watch Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz in November
- Lewis vs. Diniz will be a featured main card fight for a card on Nov. 2
- The card will take place inside Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada
- This UFC Fight Night card will air exclusively on ESPN+
Derrick Lewis vs Jhonata Diniz preview
Derrick Lewis will wrap up his 2024 fight schedule when he heads north of the border to take on Jhonata Diniz. A fighter that has scored finishes in all but one of his eight fights.
High risk, low reward:Â It has been three years since Lewis scored consecutive victories. That may be why he is taking on a fighter further down the heavyweight pecking order. However, there is a notable risk for him in the matchup.
In this division, everyone has power and the ability to end fights instantly. A loss to Diniz would be a major upset. However, a victory will not do much for Lewis’ status in the UFC heavyweight rankings since he is sure to be a big favorite before fight night.
Also Read: UFC rankings – Get the latest top 10 at heavyweight, lightweight, P4P, and more
Not built to last:Â Both men are knockout machines. “Black Beast” has scored 23 KOs in his 28 career wins while the Brazilian has seven in his eight career fights. Lewis has gone to a decision just twice in the last four years. Don’t expect this one to go the distance.
The bottom line:Â Lewis has a legion of fans and they are thrilled any time he fights. But this fight is even better for them than most since it is perfectly set up for him to get a thunderous knockout.
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.
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 $2 million.
