Derrick Lewis, known as “The Black Beast,” made a boxer regret his arrogance in a memorable showdown. Few fighters in the world of martial arts can match Lewis’s knockout power, and the former UFC title contender has consistently demonstrated this destructive ability inside the Octagon.
At 40 years old, Lewis returns to the cage at UFC 324 this Saturday, aiming for his 17th UFC knockout victory. His current tally of 16 knockouts includes wins against notable fighters like Gabriel Gonzaga, Curtis Blaydes, Alexander Volkov, and a memorable finish against Ruiz. However, his knockout dominance extends beyond the UFC, as seen in 2019 when an overconfident boxer discovered firsthand why Lewis earned the title of the Octagon’s knockout king.
In 2019, Lewis responded to a boxer who had been disparaging mixed martial artists at a local gym. The boxer confidently claimed he could easily knock Lewis out, regardless of the sport. Lewis challenged him to back up those words and shared footage of their boxing match, where it took less than a minute for Lewis’s powerful punches to overwhelm his opponent. The boxer, overwhelmed by the onslaught, ultimately retreated against the ropes, unable to withstand Lewis’s power. This incident serves as a reminder not to underestimate UFC’s most prolific knockout artist.
Leading up to UFC 324, Lewis is reportedly in the best physical shape of his career. After a tough stretch where he won only one of five fights, he has rebounded with three wins in his last four outings. He exhibited a leaner physique before securing a decisive victory over Marcos Rogerio de Lima with a flying knee from Luiz. Lewis has also shared that he feels great both mentally and physically, attributing his improved performance partly to supplements provided by the UFC, although he later clarified his statement regarding the nature of these substances.
Fan Take: Derrick Lewis’s raw knockout power continues to captivate fight fans, proving that power and resilience remain key ingredients for success in heavyweight MMA. His resurgence and commitment to peak physical condition are exciting signs that he still has a significant impact to make in the sport’s heavyweight division.
