[On May 11, 2024, Andreas Hale of ESPN reported that Derrick Lewis secured a third-round TKO victory over Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC Fight Night in St. Louis, further establishing himself as the all-time leader in knockouts in the UFC’s heavyweight category.
Post-fight, Lewis entertained the crowd with his quirky antics, throwing his fight shorts, fanning his defeated opponent with them, and even tossing his protective gear into the audience. In a humorous gesture, he went as far as to pull down his underwear, jokingly saying, “I appreciate St. Louis for letting me show my naked ass tonight. I couldn’t let no taxicab driver from Brazil beat me.”
The fight lasted longer than anticipated as Lewis initially showcased his wrestling skills but ultimately followed his corner’s guidance to secure the win in the third round, marking his 15th UFC knockout. This milestone placed him two knockouts ahead of Frank Mir and significantly ahead of Stipe Miocic in the UFC heavyweight list.
Despite a recent string of losses, Lewis, also known as “The Black Beast,” rejuvenated his career with this victory. Employing a blend of striking and wrestling, Lewis triumphed over Nascimento, who put up a strong fight but succumbed to Lewis’s power. The win was crucial for Lewis, who had experienced a defeat in his previous battle.
Looking forward, Lewis acknowledged his age and hinted at the possibility of taking a step back from fighting, saying, “I’m going to sit my black ass down for a second. I’m getting too old for this s—.”
