Other names The Black Beast Reach 79.0 in (201 cm) Losses 1 Division Heavyweight Wins by knockout 1 | Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Role Mixed Martial Artist Nationality American Name Derrick Lewis Number of contests 1 | |
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Born February 7, 1985 (age 39)
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States ( 1985-02-07 ) Weight 264.5 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb) Profiles | ||
Derrick James Lewis (born February 7, 1985) 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. As of March 16, 2017, he is #6 in official UFC Heavyweight rankings.
Contents
- Background
- Early career
- Bellator Fighting Championships
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Personal life
- Championships and accomplishments
- References
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 due to his mother being in an abusive relationship. 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.
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 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.
After leaving Bellator, Lewis compiled a record of 6-0 with one no contest, 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 cancelled 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 in the second round.
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 is expected to face Fabrício Werdum on October 7, 2017 at UFC 216.
Personal life
Lewis married his long-time girlfriend in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 17, 2017. The two have three children together: two boys, aged four and five, and a 13-year-old daughter.