Derrick Lewis famously called out Ronda Rousey in 2017 after knocking out her husband, Travis Browne, at a UFC event in Canada.
‘The Black Beast’ will look to get his MMA career back on track tomorrow when he takes on Sergey Spivak at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
Lewis, who holds the record for most knockout wins in UFC history (13), has suffered back-to-back stoppage defeats against Tai Tuivasa and Sergei Pavlovich.
Some believe the 37-year-old is now past his best but at the peak of his powers, he picked up wins over Gabriel Gonzaga, Roy Nelson, Francis Ngannou, Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes.
The American has become a fan favourite over the years, partly due to his exciting fighting style, but also because of his wacky personality and funny post-fight interviews.
Lewis famously told UFC commentator Joe Rogan ‘My balls were hot’ during his most remembered octagon interview that went viral at the time and is reposted across social media every time he fights.
The heavyweight knockout artist is also known for calling out UFC legend and WWE superstar, Ronda Rousey, after putting her husband, Travis Browne, to sleep in February 2017.
In 2015, Browne faced domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife, Jenna Webb, who posted a photo to Instagram that showed multiple bruises on her body.
Browne denied the accusations and criminal charges were never pressed but Lewis clearly didn’t believe his rival was an innocent man and made that much clear after scoring a second-round stoppage win.
He said: “I just knew I had a bigger heart than him. He calls himself a man, but he likes putting his hands on women.”
The usually funny fighter quickly moved away from the serious stuff as he turned his attention to Rousey who was done with the UFC by this point.
Lewis added: “Forget that guy, I got much more heart than he has. Where is Ronda Rousey fine a** at?”
Again, Lewis went viral for his post-fight outburst, which he soon regretted when his wife imposed a sex ban due to his lustful comments about ‘Rowdy’.
He told TMZ in 2018 ahead of his fight with Marcin Tybura: “My wife, she’s mad, she ain’t give me a** ever since I mentioned her in that last interview.
“I have to get this win, so I can buy her something nice and hopefully I’ll get some a** next week.”
Lewis got the win and has not mentioned Rousey in the octagon since.
However, he’s sure to have angered his long-time partner again last year during an interview with Daniel Cormier who mentioned he had recently spoken to Rousey.
The former dual-weight UFC champion burst into laughter, as did his film crew when Lewis enquired: “Did she ask about me? I’m just saying, off record.”
Cormier replied: “There’s three cameras, it’s not off record. She didn’t ask about you.”
Lewis responded: “She didn’t? It’s cool, you know, I’m married anyway.”
Rousey has never really acknowledged Lewis’s apparent interest in her and has been building a life with Browne, with whom she now shares a daughter.
The 35-year-old retired from MMA in 2016 after suffering back-to-back knockout losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
Since then, she’s found success in professional wrestling and has claimed she would only return to the sport that made her famous for a fight with MMA-pioneer-turned-actress Gina Carano.
