Derrick Lewis (fighter)


Derrick James Lewis is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2010, Lewis has also competed for Bellator MMA and Legacy FC, where he was the heavyweight champion. He holds notable victories over Alexander Volkov, Francis Ngannou, Travis Browne, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Roy Nelson. As of May 19, 2020, he is #4 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

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 1999, 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. However, 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. 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 Fighting Championships 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 cancelled 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 on August 28, 2013. However, the bout was cancelled as Lewis had to pull out due to an injury.
Lewis instead made his debut at 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 replaced by Viktor Pešta. He 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, winning by split decision.
Lewis was expected to face Marcin Tybura on October 15, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 97. However, the promotion announced on October 6 that they had cancelled the event entirely.
Lewis faced Shamil Abdurakhimov on December 9, 2016, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 102. After losing the first three rounds, he won the fight by TKO in the fourth round.
Lewis faced Travis Browne on February 19, 2017, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 105. He won the fight via knockout in the second round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.
Lewis faced Mark Hunt on June 11, 2017, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 110. He lost by TKO in the fourth round. Despite the loss, the win earned Lewis his second consecutive Fight of the Night bonus award. After the loss, during his post-fight interview, Lewis announced that he was likely retiring from mixed martial arts. Later in the month, Lewis revealed that he ultimately decided to continue fighting.
Lewis was expected to face Fabrício Werdum on October 7, 2017, at UFC 216. On the day of the fight, Lewis was forced out of the bout due to a back injury.
Lewis faced Marcin Tybura on February 18, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 126. He won the fight via technical knockout. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.
Lewis faced Francis Ngannou on July 7, 2018, at UFC 226. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lewis faced Alexander Volkov on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229. After being behind on the judges' scorecards and visibly hurt multiple times, Lewis knocked Volkov down and subsequently finished the fight with follow up punches in the closing seconds of the bout. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Lewis faced Daniel Cormier for UFC Heavyweight Championship on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230. He lost the fight by rear-naked choke in the second round, marking the first time he's been submitted in a professional MMA fight.
Lewis signed a new contract with the UFC after the title shot. As the first fight of his new contract, Lewis faced Junior dos Santos in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 4 on March 9, 2019. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Lewis faced Blagoy Ivanov on November 2, 2019 at UFC 244. He won the fight via split decision.
Lewis faced Ilir Latifi on February 8, 2020 at UFC 247. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Lewis is expected to face Alexey Oleinik on August 8, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 174.

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.

Championships and accomplishments