Derrick Lewis, second from left, is the No. 5 ranked UFC heavyweight contender in the world
Derrick Lewis is currently the No. 5 ranked heavyweight contender in the world.
Lewis, 33, is scheduled to fight Saturday as UFC concludes its seventh annual International Fight Week. Lewis, intimidating in presence, made a few light-hearted jokes with current Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, who will fight Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title later in the night, to show his softer side during a UFC 226 press conference Thursday:
Here is what else you need to know about Lewis:
Short Bio:
Two weeks after graduating from high school, Lewis was charged with aggravated assault and put on probation.
Two years later, while attending Kilgore College on a full scholarship for football, Lewis violated his probation and was sentenced to five years in jail, but ended up serving only three-and-a-half before he was released.
He married his longtime girlfriend, April, in Honolulu, Hawaii on June 17, 2017; the couple have three children together: two boys, aged four and five, and a 13-year old daughter.
Career Record:
Lewis’ career Mixed Martial Arts record is 19-5, with one “no contest” against Jeremiah Constant dating back to January 2012.
Next Fight:
He is scheduled to take on No. 1 ranked heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou (11-2) at UFC 226 in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday.
Last Fight:
Defeated Marcin Tybura via third-round TKO (2:48) at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros in February.
Strengths:
Power, Ground and Pound
Weaknesses:
Cardio, Fighting off of his back
Highlights:
Greatest Accomplishment:
Brutally knocking out Travis Browne at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne in February 2017.
Net Worth:
Estimated around $3.2 million based on career earnings as of 2018.