Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
1 week ago
United States Derrick Lewis has established himself as a prominent figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight division, holding records for most knockouts.
Derrick Lewis partnered with Manscaped, a company specializing in male grooming products.
Derrick Lewis inked a sponsorship deal with Popeye's Chicken for UFC 230, which his management team confirmed.
Monster Energy congratulated UFC athlete Derrick Lewis on his victory over Tallison Teixeira at UFC Fight Night in Nashville.
Derrick James Lewis was born on February 7, 1985, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Raised in challenging circumstances as the second oldest of seven siblings by a single mother, Lewis developed a reputation for street fighting early in life. In 1998, his family moved to Houston, Texas. At 17, Lewis started boxing, but his training was interrupted when the gym closed. Following high school, he faced legal challenges, leading to a five-year prison sentence, of which he served three and a half years. Upon his release, a friend introduced him to mixed martial arts. While working as a tow-truck driver, Lewis continued his boxing training under the guidance of George Foreman. His successful professional mixed martial arts debut in 2010 prompted him to fully commit to the sport.
Lewis’s early professional MMA career saw him achieve a 4-1 record before signing with Bellator MMA in May 2010. While his scheduled debut at Bellator 45 was canceled due to an opponent’s injury, he later faced Tony Johnson at Bellator 46 in June 2011, losing via unanimous decision. After leaving Bellator, Lewis built a 6-0 record, including winning and defending the Legacy FC Heavyweight Championship, which led to his signing with the UFC. His UFC debut came on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne, where he defeated Jack May by TKO in the first round. He continued this success with a first-round KO victory over Guto Inocente at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale in July 2014.
Throughout his UFC tenure, Lewis has solidified his legacy through numerous impactful performances. He holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history with 16, and most finishes in the UFC Heavyweight division with 16. Key victories include knockouts of Gabriel Gonzaga (2016), Travis Browne (2017), Marcin Tybura (2018), Alexander Volkov (2018), Curtis Blaydes (2021), and Marcos Rogério de Lima (2023), often earning him ‘Performance of the Night’ or ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses. His career also features significant bouts such as his interim UFC Heavyweight Championship fight against Ciryl Gane in 2021 and a UFC Heavyweight Championship challenge against Daniel Cormier in 2018. Lewis continues to be an active and respected competitor in the heavyweight division.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
