Cheating in the UFC is becoming more rampant, and one of the sport’s most popular and successful fighters has now admitted to taking full advantage of the situation. Derrick Lewis, the UFC knockout record holder, has come clean about intentionally breaking the rules during his fights, and why he believes he gets away with it.
A Growing Problem in MMA
Over the years, mixed martial arts has seen its fair share of controversial moments inside the cage. From eye-pokes to low blows and illegal cage grabs, fighters often bend the rules to gain an advantage. While these infractions have always existed in the sport, many fans and fighters believe they’ve become more frequent and more blatant in recent years.
In 2024, the UFC attempted to address the issue by introducing redesigned gloves aimed at reducing eye-pokes, a common complaint. However, after several uneventful fights and ongoing issues, the organization quietly switched back to the previous glove design. Critics argue that without firm officiating and consistent penalties, new gear alone won’t solve the problem.
Derrick Lewis: “Yeah, I Cheat – I Know I’ll Just Get a Warning”
Now, UFC veteran Derrick Lewis has stirred the pot by admitting that he deliberately cheats in most of his fights because he knows the referees won’t penalize him.
In a recent interview with MMAJunkie, Lewis said:
“I cheat in a fight, s—. I know one time, I kneed my opponent in the nuts right off the bat, as soon as the fight started… I did it on purpose just to calm my nerves.”
He didn’t stop there. Lewis openly described how he exploits the UFC’s lenient officiating system:
“Any means necessary, if I wanna start poking eyes and all of that, I’m gonna poke you in the eye. You don’t get a warning, and they’re not gonna take a point if you poke someone in the eye. Everybody knows that.”
The heavyweight powerhouse even went as far as to say he mentally celebrates when he successfully commits a foul:
“I’ll knee them in the nuts, poke them in the eye, do everything illegal, and be like ‘my bad, I didn’t mean to do that.’ But put me on record, if I ever do that, I’m laughing on the inside, saying ‘I got your ass.’”
Lewis’s confessions have further fueled debates about officiating in the UFC. Many fans already criticize referees for being too hesitant to take points away, even after repeated fouls. UFC President Dana White himself once joked that a local fight show promoted by The Korean Zombie had better referees than the UFC.
This widespread frustration has opened discussions about whether UFC referees are doing enough to maintain fair play inside the octagon.
A Call for Reform: “Start with One Warning Backstage—Then Deduct Points”
After revealing his own approach to cheating, Lewis also offered a practical solution. He believes referees need to take stronger actions to prevent fighters from repeatedly bending the rules.
“Yeah, for sure, it should be one warning backstage and then an immediate point deduction. Then it won’t happen.”
He admitted that he fully understands the rules and simply acts according to what he can get away with:
“I know what I’m doing when I’m out there. I’ve had enough fights where the referee tells me, ‘Close your hands, don’t put your fingers out.’ Yeah, I know.”
What’s Next for UFC Rule Enforcement?
With stars like Derrick Lewis openly admitting to cheating and exploiting loopholes, fans are calling for stricter officiating and consistent penalties. While many understand the chaotic nature of combat sports, the growing frequency of intentional fouls has raised serious questions about fighter safety, fairness, and the UFC’s long-term credibility.
Whether or not the UFC will make changes remains to be seen, but Lewis’s controversial statements may be the wake-up call the organization needs.
