In a thrilling display at UFC 291, American fighter Derrick Lewis knocked out Brazilian opponent Marcos Rogerio de Lima in just 33 seconds. Right after the opening bell on July 30, Lewis delivered a flying knee to De Lima’s face, sending him crashing to the mat. He followed up with a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight, marking a quick and decisive victory for the American.
Memorable Celebration
Beyond the knockout, Lewis captured fans’ attention in Salt Lake City with his unique post-fight celebration. He removed his pants and danced to the iconic “horse dance” from Psy’s hit song “Gangnam Style.”
When asked about the flying knee that initiated the knockout, the 38-year-old fighter joked, “I just wanted to show off and see how effective it was, and it worked.”
Future in the UFC
This victory marked Lewis’ last fight under his current UFC contract. The American fighter is expected to receive several offers in the coming months, including a potential match-up with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the PFL, a US-based mixed martial arts tournament. However, Lewis expressed his desire to remain in the UFC, stating, “Let’s wait and see. I’m a free agent now. Hopefully, I’ll stay in the UFC. I like it here. I like the staff; everyone here is great.”
Career Comeback
Before UFC 291, Lewis had been struggling, with four losses and just one win in his last five fights. This knockout victory over De Lima has reignited his career, keeping his hopes of competing for the heavyweight championship alive.
“I think I can compete for the championship belt again,” Lewis said confidently. “It’s crazy and frustrating because I lost to guys I shouldn’t have. But that motivates me to train harder, especially with so many guys challenging me.”
A Signature Celebration
Taking off his pants has become a signature move for Lewis, who famously celebrated this way after defeating Alexander Volkov at UFC 229 in October 2018. At the time, he humorously explained, “I was just hot in my pants.”
With a UFC record of 11-27 and 14 knockout victories, Lewis remains a dominant force in the heavyweight division. As of July 2023, he is ranked tenth in the UFC heavyweight rankings. In addition to his UFC career, Lewis has also competed in Bellator MMA and Legacy FC, where he holds the heavyweight championship title. This knockout win has reaffirmed Lewis’ place among the top heavyweights and sets the stage for more exciting battles in his future.
