The Derrick Lewisnext fight news should arrive in the next couple of months. Until then, we look at three opponent options for the heavyweight star and recap his big win at UFC Nashville in July.
Despite entering the bout as an underdog, Lewis scored a second straight win this summer with a knockout win over Tallison Teixeira. He is sure to get a top 10 foe in his next bout. That is why the winner of the Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes Acosta fight or Marcin Tybura could be his opponent in his Octagon return.
The Russian:Like Lewis, Pavlovich is one of the hardest-hitting fighters in the division. A clash between the two would be electric and could be the co-main event of a major event if he gets passed Acosta in August.
Salsa Boy:Acosta is one of the fastest-rising stars right now at heavyweight. If he can beat Pavlovich, it would set him up for another scrap with a big-name foe. A matchup with Lewis would make a lot of sense for both later this year.
Tybur:Lewis scored a KO win over Tybura in 2018. However, the Polish veteran is a much better fighter now. A rematch for a spot in the top five would be a sensible booking for the top 15 stalwarts.
Credit: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"Black Beast" entered his UFC Nashville main event as the underdog. But all he needed was just 35 seconds to add to his UFC KO record and prove he is the division's scariest punchers.
What happened? Many thought Teixeira's height and reach could be a problem for Lewis. It showed early when he caught the American with a shot that seemed to stumble him. However, he fought back like a wounded animal and landed a big hook that floored his foe and set up another knockout win.
Related: UFC heavyweight rankings – Where does Derrick Lewis land in our top 10?
The fallout: To some, the fight was stopped too soon and created controversy. However, Lewis was likely to finish it if it went longer anyway. It was a huge victory for the big man and solidified his place in the top 10.
What's next:With back-to-back wins, "Black Beast" has earned a big fight in his UFC return. Expect the heavyweight great to get another headlining spot or a co-main event at a PPV in his next bout.
Credit: Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
You would think that being named "The Black Beast" should strike fear in the hearts of observers of the sport. However, in the case of Lewis, while he surely gives opponents cold sweats, he has become a beloved and comedic figure in the MMA industry. From his admiration of Popeye's chicken to his hilariously infamous hot balls moment at UFC 229 in 2018, he has become an adored and one-of-a-kind figure in the UFC.
However, what the Texan has done inside the Octagon is no laughing matter, as he has charted a path of destruction over his UFC career.
Derrick Lewis record: 29-12 (24 knockouts, 1 submission)
Lewis has the most KOs in UFC history
During his time in the promotion, Lewis has scored notable wins against familiar names like Roy Nelson, Travis Browne, Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes (twice), Aleksei Oleinik, and even current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Lewis has lost both of his heavyweight title opportunities. In 2018 versus Daniel Cormier, and last year against Gane in an interim championship bout.
"The Black Beast" hit a new stratosphere of popularity with his infamous "my balls were hot" moment in 2018. Where he removed his fight shorts before a victory interview with Joe Rogan
Before he became an MMA star, Lewis spent three-and-a-half years in jail for a parole violation
The measure of a fighter often comes down to the bucks they've made during a career of fisticuffs. As of 2025, Derrick Lewis' net worth is speculated to be upwards of $8 million.
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