5 Things You Might Not Know About Derrick Lewis

After a loss to Mark Hunt in the UFC Fight Night 110 main event, Derrick Lewis will look to get back to his winning ways at UFC Fight Night 126 in a showdown with Marcin Tybura.

With 24 fights to his name, Lewis has had a lengthy career since making his mixed martial arts debut back in 2010. Known as a powerful heavyweight who can end a fight at any moment, Lewis is now a respected veteran with a potential shot to enter himself into title contender discussion if he can string together another streak of victories.

Here are five things you might not know about Derrick Lewis prior to his upcoming fight at UFC Fight Night 126:

1. First boxing match cancelled by gym shutdown.

As a youth growing up in Houston, Texas, Lewis got involved in amateur boxing. At 17, Lewis was set to make his amateur debut before the gym he was training out of closed down unexpectedly on sudden notice.

2. Loss in lone Bellator MMA appearance.

Like many future UFC fighters, Lewis made a brief stint in the early years of Bellator during his climb up the professional ladder. Lewis made just one appearance in Bellator, losing via unanimous decision to Tony Johnson at Bellator 46. It was the sixth fight of Lewis’ professional career.

3. Knockout loss to Matt Mitrione, win over Roy Nelson.

Lewis has an attachment to two of the fighters he will share the stage with during this upcoming fight weekend. Lewis fought Bellator 194 headliners and Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix participants Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione during their UFC careers. Lewis lost to Mitrione via TKO at UFC Fight Night 50. More recently, Lewis took a split decision victory against Nelson at UFC Fight Night 90 in July 2016.

4. He Beat Jared Rosholt for the Legacy Fighting Heavyweight Championship.

Before he had an opportunity to join the UFC, Lewis made a name for himself by becoming the Legacy Fighting Championship heavyweight champ. Lewis won LFC gold with a win over former NCAA wrestler and fellow UFC alumnus Jared Rosholt. Lewis defeated Rosholt via TKO in the second round and defended his title against Ricky Shivers before ultimately making the jump to the bright lights of the UFC in 2014.

5. Current ‘Fight of the Night’ streak.

Lewis is known for violent, powerful fights throughout his career, including 16 knockouts. It’s no surprise that Lewis has accumulated more than a few performance bonuses throughout his UFC career. Most impressive is Lewis’ current streak of “Fight of the Night” bonuses, with his two most recent fights against Travis Browne and Mark Hunt earning the honor. Lewis will look to make it three in a row with an entertaining encounter with Tybura on Sunday.