All-Time UFC Knockout Leader Derrick Lewis Signs New 8-Fight Contract

Lewis will continue trying to add to his UFC record for at least the next few years.

Drew Beaupré | Aug 10, 2023

All-Time UFC Knockout Leader Derrick Lewis Signs New 8-Fight Contract /

Derrick Lewis has signed a new deal with the UFC after he fought out his contract at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City.

“The Black Beast” is a former title challenger and fan favorite, but he entered his UFC 291 matchup with Marcos Rogério de Lima on the first three-fight losing streak of his career, where he was stopped in each bout.

The heavyweight matchup was bumped up to the UFC 291 main card after the welterweight bout between Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Michel Pereira was scrapped, and Lewis took advantage of the spotlight by knocking out de Lima with a flying knee and follow-up punches in just 33 seconds.

The 38-year-old revealed after his victory that the performance marked the last fight on his current UFC contract, but after some brief speculation that he might test free agency it looks like “The Black Beast” will continue to ply his trade in the sport’s leading promotion.

🚨| Derrick Lewis has re-signed an 8-fight deal with the UFC, per Dana White.#UFC291 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/iKxxh2pFG8
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) August 10, 2023

In addition to snapping his three-fight skid, the knockout win over de Lima also moved Lewis back into sole possession of the UFC’s all-time knockout record after Matt Brown tied his previous mark of 13 knockouts earlier this year.

Even if another run at the heavyweight title might be unlikely for the 38-year-old given how much young talent is currently rising through the division, fans will no doubt look forward to seeing Lewis add a few more knockouts to his record and hopefully deliver more of the colorful post-fight interviews that have helped make him such a popular fighter.

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Published Aug 10, 2023