October 6, 2018. Las Vegas. The T-Mobile Arena was vibrating.
Most people remember UFC 229 for the absolute chaos that erupted after Khabib Nurmagomedov jumped over the cage to attack Conor McGregor’s team. It was a dark night for the sport in many ways. But right before the main event turned into a brawl, a 265-pound man from Houston provided the single most hysterical moment in MMA history.
Derrick Lewis had just pulled a rabbit out of a hat. He was losing every single second of his fight against Alexander Volkov. The Russian heavyweight was picking him apart. Lewis looked tired. He looked done. Then, with about 20 seconds left in the final round, "The Black Beast" landed a right hand that sounded like a car door slamming shut. Volkov hit the canvas, Lewis finished him, and the crowd went nuclear.
But the real magic happened after the ref stepped in. While the arena was still processing the comeback, Lewis did something nobody expected.
He took off his shorts.
The Interview That Changed Everything
Joe Rogan stepped into the Octagon, looking a mix of confused and amused. Lewis was standing there in his underwear, breathing like a freight train, holding his fight shorts in his hand.
Rogan asked the question everyone at home was screaming at their TV: "Derrick, why'd you take your pants off?"
Lewis didn't even blink. He leaned into the mic and said, "My balls was hot."
Rogan, being a pro, just nodded and said, "I understand."
It was five words. That’s it. But in that moment, a legend was born. It wasn't just a funny line; it was a vibe. It was the peak of "The Black Beast" experience—raw, unfiltered, and weirdly honest. You’ve probably seen the clip a thousand times. It’s been remixed, put on t-shirts, and turned into a permanent part of the MMA lexicon.
Why "My Balls Was Hot" Still Matters in 2026
Honestly, the UFC tries so hard to be "professional" sometimes. They want to be the NFL or the NBA. But then you have a guy like Derrick Lewis who reminds everyone that at its core, this is a sport where massive humans hit each other for money.
Lewis is the anti-hero. He doesn't care about the belt. He’s said it a million times: he’s there for the "check and the chicken."
That interview did more for his brand than ten title wins ever could. It made him relatable. Every guy sitting on a couch in a humid living room watching that fight felt that. We've all been there. Maybe not after fighting a 6'7" Russian for fifteen minutes, but we've felt the heat.
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The Breakdown of the UFC 229 Post-Fight
Lewis didn't stop at the balls comment. That interview was a masterclass in unintentional comedy.
- The Trump Call: He claimed Donald Trump called him before the fight to tell him he had to knock out the "Russian motherf***er."
- The Cardio Issue: When Rogan asked about a title shot, Lewis basically said he needed to "sit his black ass down" and do some cardio because his gas tank was empty.
- The Podcast Invite: He ended the night by telling Rogan he wanted to go on his podcast and "smoke some weed."
It was a whirlwind of 10/10 content. Usually, fighters give the same boring "I want to thank my coaches" speech. Lewis gave us a fever dream.
The Science of the Heat (Sorta)
Look, heavyweights are big. Derrick Lewis cuts weight to make the 266-pound limit. When you’re carrying that much mass and you’re moving at high intensity under hot arena lights, your core temperature spikes.
MMA shorts are usually made of thick, durable material. They aren't exactly "breathable" in the way running shorts are. Combine that with the adrenaline of a last-second knockout, and yeah, things are going to get swampy down there.
He wasn't being a troll. He was genuinely overheated. He just happened to say it in the most Derrick Lewis way possible.
Misconceptions and the Popeyes Factor
People think Lewis is just a "meme fighter." That's a mistake. You don't get the record for the most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history by just being funny. The man has "fuck you" power in both hands.
There's also the legendary Popeyes beef. Years ago, Daniel Cormier did a commercial for Popeyes. Lewis took it personally because he’s a Houston guy and Popeyes is sacred. He used that as "motivation" to fight DC.
It’s this kind of logic that makes Lewis the most entertaining person in the roster. He treats the UFC like a 9-to-5 job that he happens to be world-class at, but also finds slightly annoying.
How to Live the Derrick Lewis Lifestyle
If you want to channel your inner Black Beast, it's not about taking your pants off in public (please don't do that). It's about the mindset.
- Honesty over Hype: If you're tired, say you're tired. If your balls are hot, state the facts.
- Focus on the Goal: Don't get distracted by "prestige" or "legacy" if what you really want is the paycheck and a bucket of fried chicken.
- The Comeback is Always Possible: You can be losing for 14 minutes and 40 seconds and still win the day with one well-timed swing.
What to do next
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Lewis lore, go watch his Instagram. It's a dark, hilarious place that the UFC legal team probably loses sleep over.
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But more importantly, if you're ever in a situation where you feel the pressure of being "professional" when you're actually just a human who is hot, tired, and hungry—just remember Derrick Lewis. Take a breath, tell the truth, and maybe do a little less cardio.
The next time you're watching a fight and a heavyweight starts looking gassed in the second round, just know there's a 100% chance their balls are, indeed, hot.