Officiating continues to be a big talking point in regards to the UFC in 2025.
Judging will always be a contentious aspect of combat sports, but the officials inside the cage have received plenty of criticism also.
Dana White even joked about the UFC’s officiating during a recent episode of ‘Lookin’ For a Fight’ with many believing that referees aren’t strict enough when it comes to fighters committing fouls.
Eye pokes have been a regular conversation topic, especially after Henry Cejudo’s defeat to Song Yadong.
While the likes of Michael Chandler have been labeled as dirty fighters in the past, an active member of the roster recently admitted to exploiting the lack of enforcement of the rules.
Derrick Lewis reflects on one UFC fight where he openly cheated to cause a break in the fight
As the UFC’s record holder for most knockouts, Derrick Lewis is known for getting his hand raised after connecting with his devastating power.
That doesn’t mean that ‘The Black Beast’ is opposed to cutting a few corners from time to time in order to ensure victory.
Lewis recently spoke in an interview with MMA Junkie where he admitted that he has purposefully cheated inside the Octagon in the past, making reference to one specific example.
“I know one time, I was nervous as hell entering a fight. What’s that guy’s name? I kneed him in the nuts like right off the bat. As soon as the fight started, I kneed him in the nuts on purpose, just because I wanted to get my nerves to calm down. Ruan Potts, that fight right there. Yeah, I cheat, s—. Any means neccesary.”
When looking back at Lewis’ fight with Potts at UFC 184 in 2015, with 3:20 left in the opening round, he clearly lands a low knee when his opponent is backed up against the cage with the referee causing a break in the action.
Lewis went on to say that part of the reason he is willing to go against the rules is because the punishments aren’t strictly enforced.
If he can purposefully foul his opponent and only receive a warning, there isn’t much of a deterrent, according to the fan favorite.
“If I want to start poking the eyes and all that, I’mma poke you in the eye because you gonna get a warning. They’re not going to take a point as soon as you poke somebody in the eye. S— everybody know that. So, I’mma knee them in the nuts, poke them in the eye, do whatever illegal.
“Then they say, ‘Oh no Derrick’. I’mma be like, ‘Oh, man. My bad, I ain’t even mean to do that,’ but just know, put this on record right, just know that if I ever do that in my previous fights, just know, I’m laughing on the inside and saying that I got your a–.”
Derrick Lewis isn’t planning on implementing a strike that was recently made legal in his next fight
Derrick Lewis is set to return to the Octagon for his first fight of 2025 on July 12 where he faces promising heavyweight talent Tallison Teixeira.
Since Lewis last fought, the controversial 12-6 elbow has now been made legal, along with knees to a grounded opponent.
Considering Teixeira’s height, ‘The Black Beast’ hasn’t been working on adding these additional weapons to his arsenal.
“This guy is 6’7 tall, you think I’m doing 6-9 elbows to this m———–. S—, I’m trying to throw everything up.”
Lewis does have a track record for following his opponents to the ground where he can rain down massive power shots but he doesn’t see that helping him against Teixeira.
“Yeah, I get on the ground, I gotta crawl up to his face first… I’m knocking him out with whatever I can throw.”