UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has a suggestion if looking to start a fighting career for riches

Derrick Lewis may have done pretty well for himself financially through fighting in MMA, but knows he’s an exception.

If you’re someone looking to start a career in fighting in hopes of becoming rich, Lewis (26-9 MMA, 17-7 UFC) recommends pursuing another path. The UFC heavyweight has challenged for the division’s undisputed and interim title during his tenure with the promotion, and in the process, Lewis became one of the higher-paid athletes on the entire roster.

“I believe try to find something else,” Lewis told YouTuber Noah Kagan. “You’ll probably make more money starting off working at a regular job than fighting, for sure. … I didn’t have no other choice. I love fighting. I used to love fighting in the streets for free, and so I might as well just get paid doing it.”

Lewis has earned seven fight night bonuses during his UFC career, in addition to his higher-than-average base salary. Although exact figures are unknown in his most recent bouts due to athletic commissions not disclosing fighter salaries, Lewis earned $270,000 for his last-second knockout of Alexander Volkov at UFC 229, not counting his $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Lewis has since fought nine times, including two title fights. Per the nature of a vast majority of UFC contracts, salaries increase over time.

“At the beginning, you don’t get paid a lot,” Lewis said. “I’m a top 5, top 10 paid athlete in the UFC, so I get paid pretty well.”

Lewis’ disclosed salary for his UFC debut in 2014, a first-round TKO of Jack May, was $16,000 on an $8,000 show/win contract. Over the years, his pay per fight has certainly increased significantly. However, for debuting fighters in 2022, the starting salary still leaves much to be desired. It’s a long road for most fighters to get to where Lewis is at today.

But fighting also isn’t the only source of income for “The Black Beast,” who can now afford to spend some of his cash on high-powered sports cars.

“I own a beauty salon, and I have a hotshot (trucking) company, and I fight part-time,” Lewis said.

Before his paydays in the octagon and becoming a business owner, Lewis explained his plan was simply to start a family and grow from there. He knows his career is not the norm for the UFC athlete, which is why he would suggest looking elsewhere if your only goal is money.