Derrick Lewis
Vitals
The Read
Lewis is the most prolific knockout artist in UFC history, with 24 of his 29 wins coming by KO/TKO and an all-time UFC record for stoppages. His game is built almost entirely around one-punch power and an ability to swing a fight in a single exchange even after losing every minute before it; he is not a volume striker (2.46 strikes landed per minute) and absorbs nearly as much as he lands. Cardio, takedown defense (52%) and bottom-position grappling are long-standing liabilities, and at 41 the questions about his durability have grown louder after he was dropped and finished by a Waldo Cortes-Acosta jab in January 2026.
Against Josh Hokit, a small but explosive ex-NFL athlete with a collegiate wrestling base, the central question is whether Lewis can land his power before Hokit closes distance and grinds. Lewis is the far more experienced and more dangerous puncher, and any clean shot can end the night — but his recent loss, in which he conceded he came in heavy (he said he ballooned back to 296 lbs and cited a bad back and weight cut), raises real doubt about his timing and chin entering this bout. Expect Lewis to look for an early finish; if it goes long or hits the mat, the path narrows considerably for him.
Next Fight
Record
Tap any fight for the breakdown.
Loss
vs Waldo Cortes-AcostaTKO (punches) · R2 3:14
UFC 324
24 Jan 2026
24 Jan 2026
Cortes-Acosta dropped Lewis with a counter jab in the second round and swarmed with ground-and-pound for the finish, handing the all-time UFC knockout leader a stoppage loss. It was Cortes-Acosta's third straight knockout in as many months. Lewis later blamed a difficult weight cut and a bad back for the performance.
Key moments
- A short counter jab on the chin sent Lewis to the canvas
- Cortes-Acosta followed up with unanswered ground strikes
- Official stoppage at 3:14 of round 2
- Lewis said he went 'back up to 296' lbs and cited a bad back afterward
Win
vs Tallison TeixeiraTKO (punches) · R1 0:35
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira
12 Jul 2025
12 Jul 2025
In the Nashville main event, Lewis weathered an early exchange and landed a heavy left to the chin that dropped the previously undefeated Teixeira, finishing with ground-and-pound in just 35 seconds. The win handed the 6'7" prospect his first pro loss and marked a UFC-record knockout total for Lewis. He celebrated by removing his shorts and mooning the crowd.
Key moments
- Traded early before landing a fight-ending left hand
- Finished with ground strikes at 0:35 of round 1
- Handed Teixeira his first loss in nine pro fights
- Extended Lewis's all-time UFC knockout record
Win
vs Rodrigo NascimentoTKO (punches) · R3 0:49
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento
11 May 2024
11 May 2024
In the St. Louis main event, Lewis wobbled Nascimento early in the third round with a crisp one-two and followed with a barrage to force the stoppage. The finish gave Lewis his then-record 15th UFC knockout. He again mooned the crowd in celebration.
Key moments
- Hurt Nascimento with a one-two to open round 3
- Followed up with a flurry to end it at 0:49
- Set a UFC record with his 15th promotional knockout
- Snapped Nascimento's momentum in the main event
Loss
vs Jailton AlmeidaDecision (unanimous) · R5
UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis
4 Nov 2023
4 Nov 2023
In the São Paulo main event, Almeida repeatedly took Lewis down and controlled him on the ground across all five rounds to win a lopsided unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45). Almeida logged over 21 minutes of control time and reached mount in every round but could not finish the durable Lewis. The fight exposed Lewis's grappling and takedown-defense limitations.
Key moments
- Almeida scored takedowns and reached mount in every round
- Over 21 minutes of total control time for Almeida
- Lewis survived multiple submission attempts to the final bell
- Scorecards of 50-44, 50-44, 50-45 for Almeida
Win
vs Marcos Rogério de LimaTKO (flying knee and punches) · R1 0:33
UFC 291
29 Jul 2023
29 Jul 2023
Lewis charged across the cage to open the bout and landed a flying knee to de Lima's face, then swarmed with ground-and-pound for a 33-second TKO. The win snapped a three-fight skid and gave Lewis the outright UFC record for most knockouts at the time. He celebrated with his signature shorts-off routine.
Key moments
- Opened with a Masvidal-style flying knee to the face
- Finished with heavy ground strikes at 0:33 of round 1
- Snapped a three-fight losing streak
- Claimed the UFC's all-time knockout record
Signature Finishes
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