Derrick Lewis has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in UFC heavyweight history. Known for his devastating knockout power and remarkable durability, the Houston-born fighter holds the distinction of being the UFC‘s all-time knockout leader in the heavyweight division. With a professional record of 29 wins, 14 losses, and 1 no contest, Lewis has faced many of the division’s toughest competitors since his debut in 2010.
His journey from a tough Houston upbringing to the top of mixed martial arts has been anything but conventional. Nicknamed “The Black Beast,” Lewis has become a fan favorite not only for his explosive finishes but also for his unfiltered personality and late-fight resilience. He has never held a UFC title but has fought for interim gold and remains a perennial gatekeeper in the sport’s most unforgiving weight class.
As of mid-2026, Lewis continues to compete at the highest level despite a recent stretch of tough results. His most recent outing ended in a second-round knockout loss to Josh Hokit on June 14, 2026. No next fight has been officially announced, but Lewis remains under contract with the UFC and is expected to return to the octagon when a suitable matchup is arranged.
What Is Derrick Lewis’s MMA Record and Career Stats?
29-14-0 (1 NC)
Not yet announced
6’3″ / 265 lbs
Not officially disclosed
- Derrick Lewis holds the UFC record for most knockouts in heavyweight history with 16.
- He is known for exceptional durability and late-fight power, often turning fights around in the final rounds.
- Despite a 29-14 record, he has never won a UFC title but fought for the interim heavyweight belt in 2018 against Junior dos Santos.
- His net worth is not officially confirmed; primary income sources are fight purses, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals.
- Lewis has fought under the UFC banner since 2014 and has compiled a 20-12-0 record inside the promotion according to FightMatrix.
- Sherdog‘s breakdown of his wins shows 24 by KO/TKO, 1 by submission, and 4 by decision.
- He trains out of Main Street Boxing & Muay Thai and has been a fixture in the UFC’s heavyweight top 15 for nearly a decade.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Derrick James Lewis |
| Nickname | The Black Beast |
| Born | February 7, 1985 (age 41) |
| Height | 6’3″ (191 cm) |
| Weight | 265 lbs (120 kg) |
| Reach | 79 inches (201 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | Main Street Boxing & Muay Thai |
| Record | 29-14-0 (1 NC) |
| UFC Knockouts | 16 (UFC heavyweight record) |
How Tall Is Derrick Lewis and How Much Does He Weigh?
Derrick Lewis is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall (191 cm) and competes at the heavyweight limit of approximately 265 pounds (120 kg). These measurements are consistently reported across official UFC statistics pages and major sports platforms including ESPN and UFCStats.
His reach, measured at 79 inches (201 cm), gives him a notable advantage against many opponents in the division. Lewis fights from an orthodox stance and relies on his reach to set up his powerful overhand rights and hooks. At 41 years old, he has maintained the same physical dimensions throughout his UFC tenure.
Height: 6’3″ (191 cm) – Weight: 265 lb (120 kg) – Reach: 79 in (201 cm) – Stance: Orthodox. All figures come from official UFC and ESPN profile pages and are consistent across multiple verified sources.
What Is Derrick Lewis’s Reach and Fighting Stance?
Lewis’s reach of 79 inches is among the longest in the UFC heavyweight division. Combined with his 6’3″ frame, he uses that length to generate significant leverage on his punches. His orthodox stance is conventional for a heavyweight, but his striking style is far from textbook. Lewis is known for loading up on single power shots rather than throwing combinations, a strategy that has produced 16 UFC knockouts.
What Is Derrick Lewis’s Age and Birthdate?
Derrick Lewis was born on February 7, 1985, in Houston, Texas. He is 41 years old as of mid-2026. While some Italian-language sources cite New Orleans as his birthplace, Houston is the consistent listing across his primary MMA profile pages on ESPN, UFCStats, and MMA Index.
Who Is Derrick Lewis’s Wife and What Is His Net Worth?
Information about Derrick Lewis’s personal life is limited in the available record. No verified source among the supplied research materials provides a confirmed spouse name or confirms whether he is currently married. Some online sources mention a wife, but the names vary and no consistent, attributable detail is available from the datasets used here.
No verified marital status or spouse name for Derrick Lewis can be confirmed from the supplied sources. Claims about his wife appear in scattered online references but lack consistent attribution. Readers should treat such details as unconfirmed unless a direct statement from Lewis or his representatives is available.
Regarding his net worth, none of the supplied sources provide a verified or audited figure. Estimates circulating online typically range from $2 million to $5 million, but these numbers are speculative and vary widely. Lewis’s income comes primarily from UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, and sponsorship revenue. Without official financial disclosure, no precise net worth can be confirmed.
No official source confirms Derrick Lewis’s net worth. Figures found in media reports or third-party sites are estimates only and should not be treated as fact. The UFC does not publicly disclose fighter earnings beyond disclosed base pay, which represents only part of total compensation.
Does Derrick Lewis Have Children?
The supplied research materials do not include verified information about whether Derrick Lewis has children. No reliable source in the dataset addresses this aspect of his personal life, and it would be speculative to report otherwise.
When Is Derrick Lewis’s Next Fight?
As of the latest available information, Derrick Lewis does not have a confirmed next fight scheduled. No opponent, date, or event has been officially announced by the UFC. Lewis last competed on June 14, 2026, losing to Josh Hokit by knockout in the second round at 4:09 of the round.
Lewis’s most recent bout: Loss to Josh Hokit via KO/TKO, Round 2, 4:09 on June 14, 2026. Prior to that: Loss to Waldo Cortes Acosta on January 25, 2026, and a win over Tallison Teixeira on July 13, 2025. All results are sourced from ESPN’s fight history and MartialBot.
Based on his historical fight frequency, Lewis typically competes two to three times per year. Fans looking for updates on his next booking can follow his official X (formerly Twitter) account. Possible opponents could include rising heavyweights or fellow veterans looking for a marquee matchup.
Derrick Lewis Career Timeline
- 2010: Professional MMA debut. Lewis begins his career in regional promotions.
- 2014: Signs with the UFC. Makes his debut on April 19, 2014.
- 2016: Wins a UFC Fight Night headliner, establishing himself as a contender.
- 2018: Fights for the interim UFC heavyweight title; loses to Junior dos Santos.
- 2021: Sets the UFC heavyweight knockout record against Marcos Rogério de Lima and earns multiple performance bonuses.
- 2023: Secures notable wins over Roy Nelson, Travis Browne, and Curtis Blaydes during his career arc.
- 2025: Defeats Tallison Teixeira on July 13 by decision.
- 2026: Loses to Waldo Cortes Acosta (Jan. 25) and Josh Hokit (June 14).
What Information Is Certain and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Professional record: 29-14-0 (1 NC) – verified by UFC Stats and multiple sources. | Net worth: figures vary widely ($2 million to $5 million) with no official disclosure. |
| Height and weight: 6’3″, 265 lbs – official measurements from UFC and ESPN. | Marital status: known to be married in some reports but wife’s name is not consistently or reliably reported. |
| Birthdate: February 7, 1985 – confirmed across Wikipedia, MMA Index, and sports.ru. | Next fight: not yet officially announced; any opponent name would be speculative until the UFC confirms. |
What Is the Significance of Derrick Lewis’s Career?
Derrick Lewis is widely regarded as one of the most exciting heavyweights in UFC history. His 16 career UFC knockouts are unmatched in the division, and his ability to produce dramatic, come-from-behind victories has made him a staple of televised events. Despite a mixed win-loss record in recent years, Lewis has consistently faced top-tier competition and remains a meaningful gatekeeper in the division.
His fighting style, built around single power strikes rather than volume punching, has proven effective across more than a decade of competition. Lewis has also demonstrated unusual resilience, absorbing significant damage in fights only to rally with fight-ending power in later rounds. This trait, combined with his self-deprecating humor and candid interviews, has earned him a loyal following. For readers interested in broader combat sports stories, the career of Christy Martin – Boxing Pioneer, Survivor, and 2025 Biopic offers a compelling contrast in fighting legacy.
Beyond the stats, Lewis’s career arc reflects a broader story about longevity in mixed martial arts. He represents a generation of heavyweights who bridged the eras of strikers and wrestlers, adapting his game just enough to remain relevant while staying true to the power-punching identity that defined him from the start.
What Do the Sources and Quotes Say About Derrick Lewis?
“I’m not a wrestler, I’m just a Black Beast.”
— Derrick Lewis, in various interviews
This quote captures the essence of how Lewis presents himself: a straightforward, powerful striker who relies on instinct and raw force rather than technical wrestling or grappling. The nickname “The Black Beast” was self-given and reflects his on-stage persona as well as his fighting approach.
Primary sources for verifying Lewis’s career statistics include the official UFCStats page, ESPN’s MMA profile, Wikipedia’s biographical entry, Tapology‘s fighter page, and Sherdog’s fight record. These sources collectively show broad agreement on his career trajectory while differing slightly on the precise count of knockouts due to updates following recent fights. As of the latest data, ESPN and UFC both report 16 knockouts as the UFC heavyweight record.
What’s Next for Derrick Lewis?
Derrick Lewis’s next fight has not yet been officially announced. He typically competes two to three times per year, and fans can follow his X account for updates as they become available. Potential opponents could include rising heavyweights or veteran names in the division looking for a high-stakes matchup. The UFC will likely match Lewis with a similarly ranked opponent when they finalize his return.
For readers interested in broader combat sports stories, the career of Bruce Lee – Full Story of the Legend’s Life and Legacy provides historical context on martial arts philosophy and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Derrick Lewis’s real name?
Derrick James Lewis.
Why is Derrick Lewis called The Black Beast?
It is a self-given nickname that reflects his fighting style and personality.
How many knockout wins does Derrick Lewis have?
He has 16 knockouts in the UFC, a heavyweight division record.
What is Derrick Lewis’s reach?
79 inches (201 cm).
Has Derrick Lewis won a UFC title?
No, but he fought for the interim heavyweight belt in 2018.
Margaret Finch is Culture & Features Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering features, long-form journalism, cultural analysis and opinion pieces.