Derrick Lewis called out Ronda Rousey after beating her husband.
‘The Black Beast’ knocked out Alexander Volkov with 11 seconds to spare before taking his pants off and giving one of the most iconic interviews in MMA history in October 2018.
4Lewis was the first man to strip in the UFC OctagonCredit: Getty
Lewis famously told Joe Rogan ‘My balls were hot’ as he provided the legendary commentator with a TMI explanation for his antics and went viral in the process.
Footage of the interview is reposted every time he fights, and it’s often accompanied by the conversation he had with UFC interviewer Brian Stann 20 months prior.
The heavyweight knockout artist put Travis Browne, who has been married to Rousey for seven years, to sleep before using his mic time to flirt with ‘Rowdy’
Lewis said during his post-fight interview: “Forget that guy, I got much more heart than he has. Where is Ronda Rousey fine a** at?”
Everyone’s favourite heavyweight went viral for his post-fight outburst, which he soon regretted when his wife imposed a sex ban due to his lustful comments about Rousey.
Lewis told TMZ in 2018: “My wife, she’s mad, she ain’t give me a** ever since I mentioned [Rousey] 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 hasn’t mentioned Rousey in the Octagon since.
4’The Black Beast’ brutally KO’d Travis Browne in 2017Credit: Getty4And then he sent a message to RouseyCredit: UFC – YouTube
However, he’s sure to have angered his long-time partner during a 2022 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.”
4It’s time for Lewis to get serious about his UFC careerCredit: Getty
Rousey has never acknowledged Lewis’ apparent interest in her and has been building a life with Browne after they both retired from MMA.
Lewis has had nine wins and two UFC title shots since his famous interview with Stann, but he’s currently on a poor run of form and at risk of no longer being regarded as a top MMA heavyweight.
Just one win in five means Lewis will be fighting to save his career when he takes on Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis on Saturday night.
Another defeat means he will never get to headline a UFC show again.
A big win and a viral interview is likely to catapult Lewis back into contention for a shot at the heavyweight titles held by Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.