Derrick Lewis is everything we want from a heavyweight. He has legitimate one punch knockout power, meaning he can finish the fight at any point. He’s notched 20 knockouts in 25 wins throughout his career. Headlining UFC 265 this weekend against Ciryl Gane, Lewis has the opportunity to become the interim heavyweight champion. Many think that his key way to victory will be to land a big bomb and finish Gane. We take a look at Derrick Lewis’ top five knockouts across his illustrious UFC career.
Derrick Lewis – Top 5 Knockouts
5 – Jack May – UFC on Fox 11
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 18: (L-R) Opponents Derrick Lewis and Jack May face off during the FOX UFC Saturday weigh-in at the Amway Center on April 18, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Derrick Lewis’ UFC debut predictably ended in him knocking his opponent out. What was interesting in this one, however, is that Lewis showed impressive defensive wrestling, leading to the finish. He was able to reverse the position he was put in, get to his feet and land vicious ground and pound leading to the finish.
4 – Gabriel Gonzaga – UFC Fight Night 86
ZAGREB, CROATIA – APRIL 10: (L-R) Derrick Lewis knocks out Gabriel Gonzaga in their heavyweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at the Arena Zagreb on April 10, 2016 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Stepping in against the former UFC title contender, Derrick Lewis showed that he can hang with the best of them. In his classic style, he lulled Gabriel Gonzaga into thinking that he wasn’t in danger, with Lewis just slowly plodding forwards before exploding with a barrage of punches. Despite covering up, one got through and it only took that one to send the Brazilian crashing to the mat.
3 – Travis Browne – UFC Fight Night 105
HALIFAX, NS – FEBRUARY 19: (L-R) Derrick Lewis punches Travis Browne in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event inside the Scotiabank Centre on February 19, 2017 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Headlining his second straight UFC card, Lewis stepped in against Travis Browne. What played out is one of the craziest knockouts you’ll see. In the second round, both Lewis and Browne threw big haymakers simultaneously, looking for the knockout. Unfortunately for Browne, Lewis was able to land first. He barley clips Browne but it was enough to send him dancing his way to the floor. No fewer than 11 ground and pound shots directly the head of Browne was all she wrote in this one.
2 – Curtis Blaydes – UFC Vegas 19
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 20: (L-R) Derrick Lewis knocks out 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)
This is Derrick Lewis’ most recent bout and many thought that he may struggle with the relentless wrestling of Curtis Blaydes. Blaydes is easily one of the best wrestlers in the UFC’s heavyweight division and has dominated many an opponent on the ground. Historically, Lewis hasn’t had the greatest ground game, preferring to just ‘get up’, rather than use technique. If Blaydes was to get this one to the ground, it could have been a long night for ‘The Black Beast’. Lewis’ power seemed to effect Blaydes straight from the off, however. In the second round, Blaydes shot for a takedown and Lewis landed an uppercut which knocked Blaydes out cold. Well timed, well executed and very violent.
1 – Alexander Volkov – UFC 229
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 06: Derrick Lewis punches Alexander Volkov of Russia in their heavyweight bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC)
14:40. That’s the time that Alexander Volkov had dominated Derrick Lewis for in their UFC 229 fight. The Russian had been able to keep Lewis at bay, landing freely and was cruising to the unanimous decision victory. As we said earlier, however, with Lewis, it only takes one to finish a fight. A quick 1 – 2 landed clean on ‘Drago’s’ jaw, almost knocking his mouthpiece out, sending him crashing to the ground. Several unanswered ground and pound shots later lead to Lewis getting his hand raised. In turn, this would lead to a title shot for the Texas native, however, he would fall short in his attempt. He has an opportunity for redemption this weekend, however.
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