NEW YORK — “The Black Beast” is big business.
In just four weeks, Derrick Lewis has gone from heavyweight contender popular among hardcore MMA fans to something of a pop-culture phenomenon. His UFC 229 post-fight promo, after a Hail Mary knockout of Alexander Volkov, went viral (“My Balls Was Hot!”) and now he’s fighting Daniel Cormier for the UFC heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 230 on Saturday night here at Madison Square Garden.
On Wednesday, Lewis inked a deal with a brand near and dear to him, Popeye’s, his First Round Management team confirmed with MMA Fighting.