Derrick James Lewis (born February 7, 1985) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he currently holds the record for most finishes in the Heavyweight division and most knockouts in UFC history (16). A professional since 2010, Lewis has also competed for Bellator MMA and Legacy FC, where he was the Heavyweight Champion.
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Background
Born and raised as one of seven siblings, the second oldest, by a single mother in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lewis was troubled growing up and was often involved in street fighting. In 1998, Lewis and his family relocated to Houston, Texas. At the age of 17, Lewis began training in boxing and was preparing for his first amateur fight when the gym unexpectedly shut down. Two weeks after graduating from high school, Lewis was charged with aggravated assault, and was placed on probation. Two years later, while attending Kilgore College on a full scholarship for football, Lewis violated his probation and was sentenced to five years in prison, but ended up serving three and a half. A week after being released, Lewis was introduced to mixed martial arts by a friend and, while working as a tow-truck driver, continued with boxing under the tutelage of George Foreman. After dominating in his first professional mixed martial arts fight, Lewis decided to focus on mixed martial arts.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Lewis began his journey in MMA in late 2009, when he made his debut as an amateur against Jay Ross at LSAMMA on October 16, 2009. He lost the fight via TKO (doctor stoppage). He then faced Tim Buchanan at the United States American Combat Association event on January 30, 2010. He won via TKO.
After turning professional in 2010, Lewis would compile a fight record of 4–1 before signing with Bellator MMA in May 2010.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Lewis was scheduled to make his promotional debut at Bellator 45 on May 21, 2011, against Brazilian Thiago Santos. However, the bout was canceled when Santos had to pull out due to an injury.
Lewis faced Tony Johnson at Bellator 46 on June 25, 2011. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Lewis compiled a record of 6–0 with one no-contest after leaving Bellator, most notably winning and successfully defending the Legacy FC Heavyweight Championship. He was then signed to the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Lewis was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Nandor Guelmino at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 on August 28, 2013. However, the bout was canceled as Lewis had to pull out due to an injury.
Lewis instead made his debut at UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne on April 19, 2014, against Jack May. He won via TKO in the first round.
In his second fight for the promotion, Lewis faced Guto Inocente at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale on July 6, 2014. He won the fight via KO in the first round.
Lewis faced Matt Mitrione on September 5, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 50. Mitrione quickly defeated Lewis via first-round knockout.
Lewis faced Ruan Potts on February 28, 2015, at UFC 184. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Lewis next had a rematch with Shawn Jordan on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. In their first encounter on the regional circuit in 2010, Lewis lost by unanimous decision. Lewis lost the fight via TKO.
Lewis was expected to face Anthony Hamilton on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192. However, Hamilton was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Viktor Pešta. Lewis won the fight via TKO in the third round.
Lewis faced Damian Grabowski on February 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 82. Lewis dominated the fight, winning via TKO in the first round.
Lewis next faced Gabriel Gonzaga on April 10, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 86. He won via KO in the first round. Subsequently, Lewis earned his first Performance of the Night bonus.
Lewis faced Roy Nelson on July 7, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 90. He won the fight via split decision.
Fighting style
Lewis has been characterized as a 'classic heavyweight' owing to his knockout power and physique. Former welterweight title contender and analyst Dan Hardy described him as a "wrecking ball", adding "Every time we've spoken about Derrick Lewis before, regardless of whether he's fighting Daniel Cormier, or whether he's fighting Volkov, or whether he's fighting Ciryl Gane, the same thing is always present. If he lands that right hand, it's game over."
Lewis greatly prefers stand-up fighting, which he refers to as "swangin' and banging", and has been noted by fans and commentators for his surprising ability to seemingly shrug off the grappling/wrestling offense of his opponents while in the bottom position, and simply "stand up". However, analysts have noted that when facing fighters with a background in folkstyle wrestling, such as Daniel Cormier, Lewis finds it more difficult to escape the bottom position. Nonetheless, Lewis appeared to simply "stand up" when threatened with a crucifix position by Roy Nelson, a fighter with a jiu-jitsu pedigree.
Personal life
Lewis married his long-time girlfriend in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 17, 2017. They have two sons and one daughter.
During the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Lewis pulled an estimated 100 people from the flood waters in Houston, Texas, via his lifted truck.
On May 18, 2021, Lewis was returning to his car after a workout when he discovered a man allegedly trying to open the door of his vehicle. Lewis reportedly struck the alleged thief and pinned him to the ground until the police arrived.
Championships and accomplishments
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (Five times) vs. Gabriel Gonzaga, Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Marcos Rogério de Lima
Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. Travis Browne, Mark Hunt, and Junior dos Santos
Tied (Stefan Struve) for second most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Heavyweight division history (8)
Most knockouts in UFC history (16)
Most knockouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (16)
Most finishes in UFC Heavyweight division history (16)
Tied (Donald Cerrone) for third most finishes in UFC history (16)
Second most wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (20) (behind Andrei Arlovski)
Second most bouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (32) (behind Andrei Arlovski)
Second most knockdowns landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (11) (behind Junior dos Santos)
Second most total fight time in UFC Heavyweight division history (4:33:59) (behind Andrei Arlovski)
Latest comeback finish by striking deficit in a finished fight (-82) vs Alexander Volkov
Most knockouts stemming from ground strikes in UFC history (9)
