Derrick Lewis, also known as “The Black Beast”, has been re-signed by UFC to a new eight-fight deal, his signing confirmed soon after ending his free agency, ensuring he will remain with the UFC for the foreseeable future.
Derrick Lewis’ period as a free agent concluded in short order. Dana White, the President of UFC, and executive Hunter Campbell suggested on Wednesday that Lewis had been promptly re-signed by the promotion to a new eight-fight contract. An insider familiar with the promotion’s plans verified that “The Black Beast” is slated to stay with UFC for an extended period.
Lewis had a remarkable 33-second win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 291 last July. He commemorated the win with a memorable post-bout celebration, having revealed that it was his final fight under his previous deal. Now on the north side of thirty-eight, the win helped Lewis break a three-fight losing streak and notch his 18th win in the octagon. This successful finish position Lewis as the record holder for the most knockouts in UFC history at 14, one more than Matt Brown.
Despite all his success, Lewis has yet to clinch UFC gold. He fought for the prestigious title twice, faltering against Daniel Cormier in UFC 230’s main event in November 2018 and missing out on the interim heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 265 in August 2021.