Life is good for Derek Lewis…
When “The Black Beast” was down on all three judges score cards at UFC 229 and he landed that monster of a right hand to finish Alexander Volkov, he probably had no idea what the win would do for his career.
His biggest win inside the Octagon was made even more memorable when he took off his fight shorts and told UFC commentator Joe Rogan “my balls was hot”.
The gift that keeps on giving 🎁
There's nothing quite like a @TheBeast_UFC full post-fight interview. Relive his best one yet after #UFC229. Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/KFNgfkGwvN
— UFC (@ufc) October 8, 2018
Off the back of UFC 229 Lewis has gained nearly a million social media followers.
As well as this, he now gets a shot at UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, and the chance to make more money than he has made in his last three fights combined.
It’s a quick turnaround for Lewis who will take on “DC” at UFC 230 in a little over two weeks from now. At yesterday’s media event for Madison Square Garden, Lewis was up front when reporters asked him how much he was set to make on the short-notice fight.
“It’s probably a million,” Lewis said.
“Probably about a million.”
“It’s probably more than I made this year already,” Lewis said.
Lewis made $260,000 at UFC 226, $320,000 at UFC 229 and probably in the range of $300,000 at UFC Austin. Texas does not release guaranteed purse information, so we cannot be 100% sure on that.
DERRICK LEWIS IS BACK!! 😱
The Black Beast KO's Volkov just seconds before the fight ends! What a comeback! What a fight!
Listen to that roar! #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/wHzfpav0NG
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) October 7, 2018
The heavyweight recently came out and said that he only trains for 30 minutes a day. However, he admits that the money to be made from UFC 230 has helped him refocus and spend more time in the gym.
“Not just the title on the line, whenever I saw my contract and see the zeroes, I was like, ‘OK, I can start training now,'” Lewis said.
“Before, like I told y’all before, I don’t stay in the gym like everyone else does, my opponents. It’s pretty obvious, after the fight I’m laying all over the floor, I’m tired. Ready to go sit my ass down somewhere.
“But this fight right here, I’ve really been training all day long. Drinking more water than I need to be drinking. Really taking it more serious. There’s not gonna be no excuses for myself — win, lose or draw.”
Fight changing POWER!@TheBeast_UFC #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/fyi74bUmY4
— UFC (@ufc) October 4, 2018
The Houston based knockout artist believes that “champ champ” Cormier is underestimating him going into the fight, but Lewis has changed his mindset going into this one, spending all day training.
“Not really the UFC, just DC believes that,”
“He’s thinking it’s gonna be an easy fight for his self. But go ahead and think that. It’s just crazy that I even made it this far with the type of training I’ve been putting in before each and every fight.
“I’m serious. I don’t stay in the gym all day like all my opponents do. I stay for 30 minutes, 35 minutes — and five minutes on my phone posting memes and stuff. But this camp right here, I’ve been really at the gym all day long.”
The rivalry we didn't know we needed! 😂@DC_MMA vs. @TheBeast_UFC at #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/Ua8BJChcoI
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 13, 2018
Lewis once again stated that he doesn’t believe he earned this title shot, and that Stipe Miocic should have got it instead. However, he knows it was an opportunity he was unable to turn down.
“It’s just one that I can’t pass up, because I know there’s a lot of guys in this division that probably deserve a shot more than I’m getting,” Lewis said.
“I probably don’t deserve a shot more than Stipe, who should have got the shot. But ain’t no telling the next time I’m gonna get the opportunity, so I gotta jump on it anyways.”
