In 2018, UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis responded to online criticism in a way few expected by inviting his trolls to train with him in person. Known primarily for his knockout power inside the octagon, Lewis took the opportunity to settle online disputes face-to-face at his gym in Houston, Texas, resulting in one particularly memorable knockout delivered with a head kick.

This bold move highlights how Derrick Lewis knocks out online troll challengers, showing his willingness to transform negativity into action both as a fighter and a personality.

The encounter that ended with a dramatic knockout in front of family

Several locals accepted Lewis’s open invitation to spar at his gym, but the consequences were swift and intense. During a 2021 interview on Hot Ones, Lewis revealed that he knocked out three challengers that week as a reaction to their previous taunts. In one instance, a man who came to the gym on his 41st birthday brought his wife and daughter to witness the session.

Lewis explained,

“I had a couple of guys [accept], I knocked three guys out that week, it was fun. Made sure they would sign the waiver, that type of paperwork,”

Recalling the knockout incident, Lewis added that the man did not expect the head kicks because he had previously kicked Lewis twice in the leg. The knockout happened within seconds of the sparring session’s start, much to the surprise of everyone watching.

“There was a guy that came on his birthday, 41 years old, he brought his wife and daughter to the gym. They were filming, and I knocked him out with a head kick in the first few seconds. The daughter started laughing, and his wife was like ‘Oooooh!’, and his wife deleted the clip. But I saw the video on his daughter’s phone, she sent it to my coach, and that’s what he gets! He didn’t know we were doing kicking, but he kicked me in my leg twice!”

—Derrick Lewis

Lewis also revealed concerns raised by his coach about potential legal consequences.

“My coach didn’t like that. He was worried that they were going to sue.”

Fortunately, the man did not pursue any legal action, and no serious injuries were reported.

Lewis captured a now-deleted Instagram photo showing the man lying face-down on the floor after the head kick, underscoring his dominance even outside official fights.

The timeline surrounding this incident and Lewis’s career progress

This notable gym confrontation took place just weeks before Lewis scored a knockout victory over Marcin Tybura in February 2018. Following that, he fought and earned a comeback win against Alexander Volkov at UFC 229. He then faced Daniel Cormier at UFC 230, suffering a loss in a high-profile bout.

Derrick Lewis’s upcoming return against UFC’s tallest heavyweight

Looking ahead, Derrick Lewis is set to headline UFC Nashville this Saturday against towering opponent Tallison Teixeira, who stands 6’7”. Teixeira made a strong UFC debut with a knockout win over Justin Tafa at UFC 312 earlier this year.

Lewis last competed in May 2024, securing a finish over Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis. With two wins in his last three fights, including a highlight knockout against Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 291, Lewis aims to extend his UFC knockout record and work toward another shot at the heavyweight title.

Significance of Lewis’s approach to confrontation and fighting style

Derrick Lewis’s unique response to online criticism demonstrates his readiness to back up his reputation with action, reinforcing why he remains a fan favorite. By inviting challengers to face him in person, Lewis turns virtual hostility into real-world confrontation, showcasing his knockout prowess beyond official competition.

His upcoming bout against a physically imposing opponent is expected to test his skills further, while fans and analysts anticipate whether Lewis can reclaim a position among the UFC’s heavyweight elite.