Derrick James Lewis (aka “The Black Beast”), was born February 7, 1985, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is the no.2-ranked UFC heavyweight contender, fighting out of Houston, Texas and currently trains at the 4oz Fight Club.
The Black Beast’s fighting style is largely based around his unbelievable knockout power alongside deceivingly athletic moves such as jumping kicks and flying knees. Lewis’ knockout power is evidenced by his UFC record of Most Knockouts in the Heavyweight Division where he’s currently tied with Vitor Belfort with 12 knockouts.
Lewis has a record of 25-7, with 20 of those wins coming via K.O., his power being unmatched by anyone save Francis Ngannou. Derrick Lewis’ power makes him a fan favourite for sure, however, it’s not just that, it’s also his comical personality, shown especially in his post-fight interviews.
Lewis is also well-acquainted with the social media realm and uses it to grow his fan base, with Joe Rogan naming Lewis’ Instagram page as his personal favourite.
Lewis’ likable character has led to fans creating compilations of his funniest moments that have amassed hundreds of thousands of views.
Lewis is currently on a 4-fight win streak and looking for another shot at the UFC heavyweight title. However, he’ll probably have to wait as Jon Jones debuts this summer as a heavyweight against Ngannou for the title fight of his life.
Now you have a background into Lewis’ career, let’s unleash The Black Beast’s Top 5 MMA Finishes! (in descending order)
5. Vs. Marcin Tybura – UFC Fight Night 126 (Feb. 18, 2018)
At 30 seconds in, The Black Beast delivers a huge right hand that misses, but his sheer power and velocity knocks Tybura over as he stumbles into him, giving Lewis top control.
At 2 minutes, Lewis missteps and falls to his back, Tybura is able to mount Lewis, and as Derrick tries to get to his feet, Tybura takes his back yet Lewis’ unbelievable power allows him to just shrug Tybura off.
As both fighters stand, Lewis fires a straight right that knocks Tybura, down and Lewis looks to finish, but Tybura is expertly able to reverse the position and take top control.
In the second round, Lewis lands a beautiful straight right hand on Tybura’s temple, a shot which would’ve KO’d most heavyweights, and Lewis tries to follow up, but Tybura grabs onto a body lock and secures a takedown.
After a dicey start to the second round, Tybura is able to completely control Lewis on the ground for the remainder of the round.
Going into the third round, the fight looks to be even, with it all to win in the final round. Tybura looks to be the fresher of the two fighters and applies the pressure until at 2 minutes 30 seconds into the round, when Lewis lands a left hook and two rights that knock Tybura down and, after a few extra shots, the fight is stopped.
This fight won Lewis a Performance of the Night bonus and $50,000.
4. Vs. Aleksei Oleinik – UFC Fight Night 174 (Aug. 8, 2020)
Lewis comes out aggressively, firing a left high kick and closes the distance to clinch Oleinik up against the cage; Lewis is able to use this control and ragdolls Oleinik to the ground.
Lewis lands numerous significant strikes causing Aleksei to roll to his back. Oleinik, a highly experienced grappler continuously scrambles on the ground and clasps on a single leg to reverse the position.
Then he threatens a scarf hold, but Lewis is able to escape out of the back and regain top control. Oleinik reverses the position again and tries another scarf hold submission that he latches on to for around a minute, but is unable to find the tap.
At 5 seconds into the second round, The Black Beast unloads a jumping knee followed by a trademark overhand right that decks Oleinik and Lewis is able to land some extra shots on the ground to put the proverbial cherry on top of his finish.
3. Vs. Travis Browne – UFC Fight Night 105 (Feb. 19, 2017)
Out the gates, Lewis fires a right hand to no avail, and Browne is able to land a strong leg kick.
A minute in, and Browne stabs Lewis with a front kick to the gut that visibly hurts his opponent, whilst Browne continues to target the body.
At 3 minutes in, Lewis throws his signature overhand right, but Browne perfectly times a counter knee to Lewis’ already hurt mid-section to significantly stun The Black Beast. However, the incredibly durable Lewis is able to survive making it through the first round.
Browne continues to force the action keeping the pressure on Lewis; he throws a high kick, however, it gets caught by a brutal short left hook against the cage, leading Lewis to release a flood of devastating strikes.
At 2 minutes into the round, Browne aims for double underhooks, looking to take Lewis down, but he ends up falling with Lewis taking top position.
Browne gets back to his feet, and now both fighters throw overhand rights, with Lewis coming off best as his shot grazes of the side of Browne’s head, knocking him down whereupon he finishes the fight with numerous unanswered blows.
This bout won Lewis Fight of the Night honours and a bonus of $50,000.
2. Vs. Curtis Blaydes – UFC Fight Night 185 (Feb. 20, 2021)
The action begins to open up at 3 minutes in with both fighters swinging with Blaydes coming off best, connecting with a heavy straight right that backs Lewis up.
With a minute left into the round, Curtis gets Lewis to cover up, landing a flying knee and slicing elbow.
After a good first round from Blaydes, he looks to build on this and mixes in his wrestling with a single leg takedown attempt, but Lewis is able to defend.
As Blaydes tries to go for another takedown, Lewis uncorks a surging uppercut that immediately knocks Blaydes out.
This fight won Lewis another Performance of the Night, and a handsome $50,000 bonus.
1. Vs. Alexander Volkov – UFC 229 (Oct. 6, 2018)
In the first round, Volkov lands a straight left and front kick to Lewis’ body of that causes him to cover up against the fence; Volkov increases the intensity trying to find the finish, however, Lewis endures and is able to survive.
Just as Lewis seems to recover, he throws an overhand right that is parried by Volkov, and he’s then greeted by a right hook that once again causes Lewis to stumble.
In the round’s final seconds, Lewis hits Volkov, engaging in vicious ground and pound, ending the round that looked like a possible 10–8 to Volkov.
The second round starts similarly to the first as Volkov connects with a huge right hand that hurts Lewis just 30 seconds in. That aside, the round is pretty sparse action wise – with Lewis going into the third in need of a finish to win.
A minute 30 into the third, and Volkov hurts Lewis again, this time via a right uppercut, and he begins to unload blows however, he’s still unable to put Lewis away.
Then, it’s Lewis’ turn to unload multiple overhand rights that come close, yet with 30 seconds left, it appears like a decision loss is imminent.
Despite this, Lewis lands a loping left-hand hook followed by a crushing overhand right that knocks Volkov to the ground. This is where Lewis unleashes a flurry of massive blows separating Volkov from consciousness with just 11 seconds left on the clock, (at 4 minutes, 49 seconds) of the third round.
This fight earned Lewis Performance of the Night recognition and a $50,000 bonus as well as MMA Junkies’ Comeback of the Year for 2018.
