Original Opponents Derrick Lewis, Alexandr Romanov Get New Matchups For UFC Fight Night Edmonton 

UFC heavyweight contenders Derrick Lewis and Alexandr Romanov will have new opponents to contend with in Edmonton this November. That’s after the promotion cut their original co-main event in two. Lewis and Romanov were recently announced as the co-headliner for the promotion’s return to the Canadian city, setting the stage for top women’s flyweight contenders […]

Continue Reading Original Opponents Derrick Lewis, Alexandr Romanov Get New Matchups For UFC Fight Night Edmonton  at MMA News.

UFC heavyweight contenders Derrick Lewis and Alexandr Romanov will have new opponents to contend with in Edmonton this November. That’s after the promotion cut their original co-main event in two.

Lewis and Romanov were recently announced as the co-headliner for the promotion’s return to the Canadian city, setting the stage for top women’s flyweight contenders Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas.

It’s not taken long for those plans to change, however. The Nov. 2 card at Rogers Place will now see Lewis (28-12, 1 NC) do battle with the unranked Jhonata Diniz (8-0) in the co-main event. Romanov (17-3), meanwhile, will see his chance to bounce back come against “The Black Beast’s” most recent opponent, Rodrigo Nascimento (11-2, 1 NC).

News of Lewis vs. Diniz was first reported by Laerta Viana, with MMA Junkie’s Nolan King subsequently confirming both new matchups for the Edmonton-held UFC Fight Night.

Prospect Diniz Gets First Shot At Heavyweight Rankings Opposite UFC Vet Lewis

The co-main event split presents a major opportunity for Diniz, who now has the chance to earn a number next to his name at the expense of a former title challenger and one of the division’s most notable names.

The 33-year-old Brazilian moved to 8-0 as a professional at the Apex-held UFC Fight Night on August 10, outpointing Karl Williams for his second victory in the promotion since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last September. He’ll now look to move into contention by recording his biggest win to date in “The Great White North.”

Lewis, meanwhile, will be in pursuit of his first win streak since a knockout of Curtis Blaydes secured him a title shot back in 2021. He’s since gone 3-5, most recently rebounding from a comfortable decision defeat to Jailton Almeida in Brazil last November by stopping Nascimento in the headline act of UFC Fight Night St. Louis this past May.

While Nascimento looks to rebound from that result, Romanov was most recently submitted by Almeida at UFC 302 in Newark this past June. That defeat prevented the Moldovan from returning to a win streak, having previously gotten the better of Blagoy Ivanov in 2023.

With these changes, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC Fight Night Edmonton on Nov. 2 are as follows:

  • Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas (women’s flyweight main event)
  • Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz (heavyweight co-main event)
  • Ariane da Silva vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (women’s flyweight)
  • Marc-André Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (middleweight)
  • Alexandr Romanov vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (heavyweight)
  • Chad Anheliger vs. Cody Gibson (bantamweight)
  • Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Ivana Petrovi? (women’s flyweight)

Continue Reading Original Opponents Derrick Lewis, Alexandr Romanov Get New Matchups For UFC Fight Night Edmonton  at MMA News.

UFC star Derrick Lewis jokes about potential WWE crossover attire: ‘Remember Goldust?’

Derrick Lewis reveals planned attire for WWE debut after UFC St. Louis win remember GoldustDerrick Lewis has always loved to joke around, and when asked about a potential WWE crossover, he responded in…

Derrick Lewis reveals planned attire for WWE debut after UFC St. Louis win remember Goldust

Derrick Lewis has always loved to joke around, and when asked about a potential WWE crossover, he responded in a hilarious way.

‘The Black Beast’ returned to his winning ways last night in St. Louis against Rodrigo Nascimento at the Enterprise Center. In between the second and third rounds, Lewis’ coach implored his fighter to get back to what he does best, which is to knock people out. Lewis obliged and shut the lights of Nascimento out before even a full minute could pass in the third round.

Derrick Lewis UFC St. Louis

Now just 2-3 in his last five fights, Lewis has shown an eagerness to make a foray into WWE as his UFC career winds down. When asked about what his WWE finisher and costume would be like, Derrick Lewis didn’t mind delving further into the details.

Derrick Lewis Speaks on what his WWE gimmick would look like

“Um, it’s probably,” Lewis began. “You remember Goldust? Probably something like that.” He had a smile on his face as he said those words, possibly implying a genuine interest in doing that, as well.

Derrick Lewis WWE Goldust

“You know, as long as I get to paint my face,” Derrick Lewis continued. “People really ain’t gonna know it’s me. Imma be a whole a*s freak out there.”

Lewis UFC St. Louis

When asked if he was going to go all in with the tights and boots, Lewis smiled and replied in the affirmative. “All that, and be a little sassy with it,” he said.

Lewis wouldn’t be the first athlete to crossover from MMA to the WWE, and now that the two companies are owned by the same people, it’s very likely that it could happen. With his personality, ‘The Black Beast’ would probably be an entertaining wrestler, and it sounds like he’d want a funny and out-of-the-box gimmick as well.

What do you think about Derrick Lewis considering making a change to the WWE?

Derrick Lewis unsure on fighting future after knockout win at UFC St. Louis: ‘I’m getting too old’

Derrick Lewis unsure on fighting future after UFC St. Louis win I'm getting too oldFormer heavyweight title challenger, Derrick Lewis is unsure what his next step will be off the back of another…

Derrick Lewis unsure on fighting future after UFC St. Louis win I'm getting too old

Former heavyweight title challenger, Derrick Lewis is unsure what his next step will be off the back of another knockout win at UFC Fight Night St. Louis overnight, urging for patience on his return, claiming he’s “getting too old” to consider a hasty comeback.

Lewis, a former undisputed and interim heavyweight title challenger under the banner of the promotion, returned to a headlining slot for the second event consecutively overnight in Missouri, turning in another stoppage win.

Derrick Lewis UFC St. Louis

Rallying from some difficult grappling and wrestling success from opponent, Rodrigo Nascimento, Lewis would land a third round knockout win over the Brazilian – before launching a viral celebration, which included him stripping to his briefs, tossing his protective cup to media row, and then mooning the attending crowd at the Enterprise Center.

Derrick Lewis weighs up future after UFC St. Louis win

And when questioned by former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping on his immediate fighting future off the back of his win – Lewis who called for a feature in WWE, with both brands now under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella, claimed he was “too old”.

Derrick Lewis UFC St. Louis

“I appreciate St. Louis for letting me show my naked a**,” Derrick Lewis said during his post-fight Octagon interview. “Let me sit my a** down for a second, I’m getting too old for this sh*t.”

“Oh yeah, I’m in my prime, but sh*t, you didn’t see this sh*t?” Derrick Lewis explained. “I got to rethink this sh*t.” 

Lewis UFC St. Louis

Extending his knockout record to 15 separate stoppage via strikes, over the course of his tenure with the organization, fan-favorite contender, Lewis has turned in notable finishes over the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga, Travis Browne, Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and Marcos Rogerio de Lima. 

Who would you like to see Derrick Lewis fight after his latest knockout win?

Derrick Lewis scores knockout win over Rodrigo Nascimento, moons crowd afterwards – UFC St. Louis Highlights

Derrick Lewis lands third round KO win over Rodrigo Nascimento moons crowd afterwards UFC St. LouisFormer heavyweight championship challenger, Derrick Lewis is back to the winner’s enclosure with his fifteenth knockout victory inside the…

Derrick Lewis lands third round KO win over Rodrigo Nascimento moons crowd afterwards UFC St. Louis

Former heavyweight championship challenger, Derrick Lewis is back to the winner’s enclosure with his fifteenth knockout victory inside the Octagon — landing a third round knockout win over Brazilian grappler, Rodrigo Nascimento in the main event of tonight’s UFC Fight Night St. Louis card.

Derrick Lewis UFC St. Louis

Lewis, a former interim and undisputed heavyweight title challenger under the banner of the organization, made his return tonight atop the promotion’s comeback to Missouri, turning in a fifteenth promotional knockout win in his fight with Nascimento.

Battling through some gruelling grappling and wrestling defense in the opening and second rounds, Lewis, the promotion’s most prolific knockout artist, added to his record-held tally in the opening minute of the first round — courtesy of a clubbing right hand, clipping Nascimento.

Derrick Lewis UFC St. Louis

Following up a with a slew of ground strikes, Lewis forced the third round stoppage, with referee, Jason Herzog calling a halt to proceedings.

And once more taking off his shorts, and ditching his protective cup to the media row in St. Louis — Lewis then flirted with taking off his boxer shorts, before deciding to just moon the crowd instead.

Lewis UFC St. Louis

Below, catch the highlights from Derrick Lewis’ win at UFC St. Louis

UFC star Derrick Lewis hints at WWE move, reveals finishing move plan: ‘I like taking off my shorts’

Derrick Lewis reveals plan for WWE move I like taking off my shorts for finishing moveDerrick Lewis is open to becoming a WWE wrestler once his MMA career is over in the UFC. Lewis…

Derrick Lewis reveals plan for WWE move I like taking off my shorts for finishing move

Derrick Lewis is open to becoming a WWE wrestler once his MMA career is over in the UFC.

Lewis has been in the UFC since 2014 and is a fan favorite as he holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history. With ‘The Black Beast’ being 39, his future in MMA is coming to an end, and according to Lewis, he has been in talks wit the WWE about a potential move there.

Derrick Lewis signs new 8 fight deal to stay in the UFC
Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges – Zuffa LLC

“Yeah, we are actually in talks right now and we’ve been talking for a few months now,” Lewis said at UFC St. Louis media day (via talkSport). “I was supposed to go down there in February to check everything out.”

Not only is Lewis interested in wrestling in WWE, but he already has his finishing move ready.

“It had to be something like Rikishi. You might see it man, somehow I like taking off my shorts, so we might see something like that,” Lewis said.

Derrick Lewis
Photo Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Before Lewis can make an appearance in WWE, he will continue his MMA career, but due to his personality, he would be quite a character for them.

Derrick Lewis vows to do something special at UFC St. Louis

Derrick Lewis is set to headline UFC St. Louis on Saturday against Rodrigo Nascimento.

Lewis enters the bout as the betting favorite and ‘The Black Beast’ vows to do something special on Saturday night to get the win.

Derrick Lewis
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Chris Daukaus in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I want to do something special. I’ve been working on it on my in my garage. My coach don’t know nothing about this. So what I’m about to throw out the first minute of my fight, my coach don’t have nothing to do with it. So if you all see me throw something crazy, just know it wasn’t my coaches idea. It’s my idea. That’s how good I’m feeling right now,” Lewis said.

Lewis enters the bout coming off a decision loss to Jailton Almeida and is 1-4 in his last five fights.

Breaking – Derrick Lewis set to headline UFC St. Louis in fight against Rodrigo Nascimento in May

Derrick Lewis set to headline UFC St. Louis in fight against Rodrigo Nascimento on May 11.Former title challenger, Derrick Lewis is set for his return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC…

Derrick Lewis set to headline UFC St. Louis in fight against Rodrigo Nascimento on May 11.

Former title challenger, Derrick Lewis is set for his return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night St. Louis – taking on the surging number fifteen ranked contender, Rodrigo Nascimento on May 11. from the Enterprise Center in Missouri.

Lewis, the current number twelve ranked heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he took a short-notice main event fight with Jailton Almeida at UFC Sao Paulo back in November, suffering a one-sided unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian.

Derrick Lewis
Photo Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

As for Nascimento, the former Dana White’s Contender Series product has enjoyed a three-fight winning run of late, wrapping up a decision win over Don’Tale Mayes back in November on the same card as Lewis’ loss to Almeida.

Derrick Lewis fights Rodrigo Nascimento in St. Louis on May 11.

UFC confirmed the main event fight between Derrick Lewis and Rodrigo Nascimento on their official X account tonight.

“Top 15 heavyweights will duke it out in St. Louis,” UFC posted. “@TheBeast_UFC vs. @Zecolmeiiia is your #UFCStLouis main event!” 

Prior to his loss to Almeida in South America, former undisputed and interim heavyweight title challenger, Lewis had turned in a first round TKO win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima in July of last year, snapping a run of three consecutive stoppage losses to Tai Tuivasa, Sergei Pavlovich, and Serghei Spivak. 

Derrick Lewis
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

For Nascimento, the 11-1(1) professional, suffered his sole professional loss in a KO defeat to common-foe, Chris Daukaus, which came before a TKO win over Alan Baudot was overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after the Brazilian tested positive for ritalinic acid. 

Landing six submission wins throughout his professional career, during his brief Octagon tenure, Nascimento has turned in two wins over the above-mentioned, Mayes, as well as split judging successes against Tanner Boser, and Ilir Latifi. 

Derrick Lewis signs new 8 fight deal to stay in the UFC
Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges – Zuffa LLC

Over the course of his Octagon stint, Lewis, the promotion’s most prolific heavyweight knockout artist, has turned in notable victories over the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga, Roy Nelson, Travis Browne, Marcin Tybura, Alexander Volkov, Curtis Blaydes, and former undisputed heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou. 

Who wins at UFC Fight Night St. Louis: Derrick Lewis or Rodrigo Nascimento?