UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis is widely known as one of the most entertaining fighters in the sport. “The Black Beast” has delivered several highlight-reel knockouts over the years, but his post-fight interviews have made him just as popular with fans.
Lewis’ mix of brutal honesty and humor continues to make headlines outside the Octagon.
Derrick Lewis Speaks About Cheating in Fights
Ahead of his next bout in July, the 40-year-old sat down with Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie for a candid interview. During their conversation, Lewis was asked about his thoughts on cheating during fights. He didn’t hold anything back in his response.
Lewis openly admitted to bending the rules in the past, using his fight against Ruan Potts as an example. In that bout, Lewis said he intentionally threw a knee to Potts’ groin.
“I cheat in the fights… I know one time I kneed them in the nuts,” Lewis said. “As soon as the fight started, I kneed him in the nuts just because I wanted to get my nerves to calm down.”
He didn’t stop there. Lewis went on to explain that he’s willing to use any advantage he can in future fights—even if it’s against the rules.
“Ruan Potts, that fight right there… I cheat… Any means necessary,” Lewis said. “If I have to start poking the eyes and all that, I’m gonna poke you in the eye. Because you’re gonna get a warning—they’re not gonna take a point for poking somebody in the eye.”
“S**t, everybody knows that… I’m doing whatever illegal. Just know, on the record, that if I ever do that—and did in my previous fights—know that I’m laughing on the inside, saying that I got your a**. Yeah, I’m a cheat.”
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The comments quickly caught the attention of former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. “Funk Master” responded with multiple laughing emojis in the comments under MMA Junkie’s Instagram post.
Lewis was last seen in action in May 2024, when he faced Rodrigo Nascimento in the main event of a UFC Fight Night. “The Black Beast” scored a third-round knockout, extending his UFC record for most knockouts to 15.
He’ll return to the cage on July 12, when he headlines a UFC event against Tallison Teixeira in a five-round heavyweight main event at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.