Prominent UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis made headlines last month when he was arrested and charged with reckless driving.
Reports state that Lewis was caught speeding at a staggering 136 mph past police officials and dodging traffic in the streets of Houston. He was driving his red Lamborghini at a speed that was almost three times the posted limit on that particular section of road.
Following his arrest, Lewis was promptly released on recognizance bond. Therefore, he was able to make it to the upcoming UFC Sao Paulo main event.
In an unexpected turn of events, Lewis stepped in on short notice to replace the injured Curtis Blaydes against the rising 265-pound sensation Jailton Almeida.
Addressing his legal troubles, Lewis adopted a lighthearted approach. When asked about the incident, he stated: “I don’t even think that was me. That guy had hair. You seen the picture? I don’t got no hair. That ain’t me.”
The arrest record erroneously states Lewis’s hair color as black, despite the fact that he is actually bald. Additionally, the arrest report raised eyebrows as it stated Lewis’ weight at 215 pounds, nearly 50 pounds lighter than his weight during his record-setting UFC 291 appearance in July. While this discrepancy may not be enough to sway the case in Lewis favor, it is certainly a noteworthy point.
This also suggests that Lewis might be considering a move down to the light heavyweight division.
Undeterred by his recent brush with the law, Derrick Lewis seems unfazed by the reckless driving charges. With his main event bout against Jailton Almeida at UFC Sao Paulo just days away, the 38-year-old heavyweight remains focused on the task at hand.
Lewis will appear in court again on December 27, 2023, to respond to the misdemeanor charge. If convicted, he could face a maximum of 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $200.