Derrick Lewis Interested in Potential WWE Crossover While Under UFC Contract

Derrick Lewis got the job done against Rodrigo Nascimento a little earlier than he anticipated in the UFC on ESPN 56 main event.

After engaging his Brazilian opponent in the clinch in the first two rounds, “The Black Beast” shifted gears in the third stanza, flooring Nascimento with an overhand right and pounding away with follow-up punches until the bout was halted at the 49-second mark.

“I was really waiting for the fifth round then explode on him, but the opportunity was there,” Lewis said at the post-fight press conference. “He didn’t let me catch my breath, so that’s why I had to finish him. I was trying to catch my breath, then wait it out.”

In the aftermath of his latest victory, Lewis removed his fight shorts and threw his cup at press row. He also briefly mooned the crowd at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. It’s all in a day’s work for the popular heavyweight, though there was a playful message behind the cup toss.

“You know, because y’all boys always talking s—t,” Lewis said in reference to the MMA media. “Every now and then I’ve got to throw y’all under the bus like y’all do me. ‘Oh, Derrick don’t got it anymore! Blah blah blah!’ Yeah. Mmhmm.”

Lewis remains under UFC contract, but with the promotion under the same ownership umbrella as World Wrestling Entertainment, the Houston native has interest in a crossover to the sports entertainment realm.

“That’s what we’re supposed to be doing in a few weeks, maybe. Going to Orlando and checking the [WWE] facility out,” Lewis said.

“I wouldn’t stop here in the UFC, but I would like to dibble dab in WWE.”

If Lewis is serious about that pursuit, UFC CEO Dana White wouldn’t stand in his way.

“I didn’t know that, but I would do anything for Derrick Lewis,” White said. “I like Derrick Lewis a lot. Some of the fighters here have always dreamed of a WWE match or whatever it is. Yeah, I don’t have a problem with that.”