Derrick Lewis strikes deal with Popeyes Chicken, will get free Popeyes for life

Derrick Lewis is gearing up for the biggest fight of his life. “The Black Beast” will be taking on Daniel Cormier in the main event of UFC 230 inside Madison Square Garden this Saturday.

Heading into this fight, some members of the MMA bubble have suggested that Lewis didn’t deserve a title shot. Lewis himself has admitted that he might not have been the most deserving contender.

In fairness, he is 9-1 in last 10 fights and in the heavyweight division that is impressive, but part of the reason why he is getting a title shot is because of his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan at UFC 229.

Derrick Lewis was losing his UFC 229 fight against Alexander Volkov until he connected with a powerful right hand that knocked Volkov out. In the moments after this massive win, Lewis took off his shorts. When asked why he did so, he told Octagon commentator Joe Rogan: “My balls was hot.”

After this hilarious line, Lewis’ stock exploded and he gained hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. This isn’t the first time Lewis has entertained fans with his hilarious personality, of course.

Not long ago, during a backstage encounter, Derrick Lewis jokingly scolded his upcoming opponent Daniel Cormier for disrespecting Popeyes Chicken — apparently one of his favorite foods.

His choice to defend the chicken chain will pay off big time.

Adding another layer to the fast-food war brewing heading into UFC 230, Derrick Lewis’ manager @malkikawa tells me @PopeyesChicken took notice of @Thebeast_ufc defending its honor and have struck a deal with him heading into this weekend’s fight. Details to come.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 31, 2018

“Adding another layer to the fast-food war brewing heading into the UFC 230, Derrick Lewis’ manager Malki Kawa tells me Popeyes Chicken took notice of [Derrick Lewis] defending its honour and have struck a deal with him heading into this weekend’s fight. Details to come,” Ariel Helwani Tweeted on Wednesday.

Lewis’ manager clarified that this deal with grant the heavyweight free Popeyes for life in his home city of Houston. He’ll also be featured on Popeyes menu boards, while Popeyes corporate offices are likely to sweeten the pot as well.

Lmao, Popeyes in Houston just called and gave @Thebeast_ufc free Popeyes for life and Derrick will be on the menu board, in addition to what corporate is doing. Let’s go d! #popeyes

— malki kawa (@malkikawa) October 31, 2018

Around the time that this news surfaced, Derrick Lewis took to Instagram with a post that included a heaping serving of Popeye’s Chicken — and his new My Balls Was Hot T-shirt, which can be purchased here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpm7H2ClzQF/?hl=en&taken-by=thebeastufc

Video of Derrick Lewis completing a Popeye’s-fuelled workout has also surfaced online, and we’ll say that it’s definitely worth watching.

https://twitter.com/Trikuza23/status/1057714338671165440

With Popeye’s Chicken officially in his corner — and his stomach — do you think Derrick Lewis can defeat Daniel Cormier at UFC 230 this weekend?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/31/2018