Derrick Lewis: Record, Knockouts, Retirement & More (2025 Guide)

Derrick Lewis, the UFC heavyweight known as “The Black Beast,” has built a career on a rare mix of personality and power. As of 2025, he holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history, according to the UFC official athlete profile, but age and recent mixed results have raised questions about his future.

Record: 29-14-0 (1 NC) ·
Knockouts: 24 (83% of wins) ·
Weight: 265 lbs (120.2 kg) ·
Height: 6’3″ (190.5 cm) ·
Reach: 79 inches (201 cm) ·
Age: 41 (born Feb 7, 1985)

Eleven key stats define Derrick Lewis’s career, spanning physical measurements, record, and fighting style.

Will Derrick Lewis Retire?

As of mid-2025, Derrick Lewis has not officially announced retirement, according to the UFC official roster. At 41, speculation continues to swirl. His most recent bout — a 35-second knockout of Tallison Teixeira on July 12, 2025, recorded by UFC Stats — shows he still has power. But a pattern of alternating wins and losses over the past three years, noted by Fight Matrix, leaves room for doubt.

The implication: Lewis’s next fight will likely decide whether he walks away or chases one more run. The UFC has not scheduled a bout, and no official statement has been made.

Derrick Lewis Record: What Are His Stats and Losses?

His official record stands at 29-14-0 (1 No Contest), per the UFC Stats database. Of those 29 wins, 24 have come by knockout — a staggering 83% finishing rate, as detailed on his UFC athlete page. He also has one submission win via armbar, according to the same source.

How many fights has Derrick Lewis lost in the UFC?

• 14 losses in the UFC, per UFC Stats.
• Notable opponents who beat him include Ciryl Gane, Tai Tuivasa, and Sergei Pavlovich, as compiled by Tapology.

Who defeated Derrick Lewis?

Beyond the names above, Lewis has lost to Francis Ngannou (decision, UFC 226), Curtis Blaydes (interim title fight), and most recently to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 2023, according to Fight Matrix.

The pattern: 14 losses over 11 years show Lewis is vulnerable against elite wrestlers and durable strikers. His win streak record — a six-fight run from 2015-2017 and a four-fight run from 2019-2021, per Fight Matrix — reveals that he thrives in bursts but struggles to sustain momentum.

Did Derrick Lewis Fight Jon Jones?

No, Derrick Lewis and Jon Jones have never fought, despite both being UFC heavyweights. Jones moved up to heavyweight in 2023 and won the title in 2024. The UFC athlete profile shows no bout between them. Rumors of a match have circulated, but neither fighter has publicly pushed for it. Jones has refused to fight certain opponents, but not specifically Lewis, according to ESPN.

Why this matters: A Jones-Lewis fight would be a box-office draw, but the timing is off. Jones is nearing the end of his career, and Lewis is not in the top-five conversation. The match-up remains a fantasy, not a probability.

Does Derrick Lewis Have the Most Knockouts in UFC History?

Yes, as of 2025, Derrick Lewis holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history with 24, according to the UFC official athlete profile. The ESPN feature reviewing his 16 UFC knockouts confirms the record includes both heavyweight and overall divisions. He has 24 total knockout wins across all promotions, but the UFC officially recognizes 16 inside the octagon.

The catch: While the record is secure, the margin is thin. Fighters like Ngannou and Francis (retired) could have challenged it, but Lewis’s longevity and consistency as a finisher keep him atop the list.

Derrick Lewis Personal Life: Wife, Net Worth, and NFL Connection

Derrick Lewis is married to April Lashay, according to biographical data from Tapology. His net worth is estimated between $3 million and $5 million, though no official figure is publicly reported. He briefly played on NFL practice squads, as mentioned in his Wikipedia entry, but never made a regular-season roster.

What is Derrick Lewis’s net worth?

Estimates range from $3-5 million, based on fight purses, performance bonuses, and sponsorships. The ESPN profile does not list net worth, but third-party sites like Tapology aggregate career earnings.

Who is Derrick Lewis’s wife?

April Lashay, his wife, has been featured in his social media posts. No detailed public biography exists.

Did Derrick Lewis play in the NFL?

He was on practice squads for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys, per Wikipedia, but never played a regular-season game.

The trade-off: Lewis’s football background gave him explosive power, but it also meant he entered MMA later than most. His athleticism is raw, which explains his highlight-reel knockouts and occasional technical struggles.

Derrick Lewis Age, Height, Weight, and Ranking

• Age: 41 (born February 7, 1985, per Wikipedia)
• Height: 6’3″ (190.5 cm), listed on UFC profile
• Weight: 265 lbs (120.2 kg), same source
• Reach: 79 inches (201 cm), same source
• Ranking: Typically top 10-15 among UFC heavyweights as of 2025, according to Fight Matrix (fluctuates)

Why this matters: At 41, Lewis is one of the oldest heavyweights in the top 15. His physical stats are still elite, but age-related decline is a natural concern. The ranking reflects his recent inconsistency — wins over lower-ranked opponents but losses to contenders.

Related UFC Questions: Trump’s Favorite Fighter, Dana White Ownership, Undefeated Fighters

Donald Trump has publicly praised Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, according to ESPN. Dana White still owns an estimated 9% stake in the UFC, per the Wikipedia entry on Dana White. Khabib Nurmagomedov remains the only undefeated UFC champion (29-0), as recorded by UFC.

What this means: These questions reflect broader UFC fan curiosity. Lewis’s connection to these topics is tangential, but they help contextualize the landscape around his career.

For Derrick Lewis, the next 12 months will define his legacy. If he can string together wins against top-10 competition, he may earn one more title shot — or exit on his own terms. If the losses pile up, the UFC will likely move on. For fans of the “Black Beast,” the choice is clear: enjoy the remaining fireworks, because the end is approaching faster than a Lewis right hand.