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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MAY 09: Announcer Joe Rogan reacts during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MAY 09: Announcer Joe Rogan reacts during UFC 249 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 09, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
When we talk about fighters with classic knockout style finishes combined with deadly power, Derrick Lewis aka “The Black Beast” is on top of the list. The heavyweight contender who recently fought against Curtis Blaydes in UFC Vegas 19, put in an extraordinary performance even though Blaydes established his ascendency over him in the opening five minutes.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Derrick Lewis punches Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 20, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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His finish earned him plaudits and the who’s who of MMA praised him for tying the UFC’s all-time KO record. One such name was UFC commentator, Joe Rogan.
The MMA color commentator, who witnessed this nasty knockout, congratulated the latter on Instagram and said, “If you haven’t seen his ferocious victory last night, it’s not for the faint of heart.”
The finish at the UFC Apex helped Lewis tie Vitor Belfort’s record at 12. It was just one of the latest in a series of insane finishes accrued by ‘The Black Beast’ and upon watching it one can certainly agree with Rogan’s words. His other finishes to aren’t for the faint of heart.
Few fighters who succumbed to Derrick Lewis’ insane KO power
Derrick Lewis has faced some of the greatest legends in the octagon and put them to sleep with his fists. Here are some prominent fighters who gave up to Lewis.
Lewis secured his first UFC T/KO finish in 2014 at UFC on Fox 11 against Jack May. Subsequently, he knocked out the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC Fight Night 86 and won via knockout in the first round, which won him his first Performance of the Night bonus.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 20: Derrick Lewis reacts after his knockout victory over Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on February 20, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Later he faced Travis Browne, Shamil Abdurakhimov, Alexander Volkov, and many more. On August 8 at UFC Fight Night 174, Lewis faced Aleksei Oleinik and won the bout after landing massive punches and finishing him on the ground.
The last fight and the one against ‘Razor’ were part of his four-fight streak that has him on the cusp of a title shot. As of now, Lewis has no opponents and is open to a three-round fight to stay active. Is that him subtly hinting at his desire to break Belfort’s record?
What did you make of Lewis’ one-punch KO at the UFC Apex? Which is your favorite among his 12 UFC T/KO finishes?
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