Derrick Lewis not pulled; Josh Hawkit announces betting partnership

Manager Josh Hawkit moved to shut down circulating speculation on May 3, confirming that Derrick Lewis has not been pulled from any upcoming fight and that no matchup against Paulo Costa is in the works. Hawkit also used the opportunity to announce a new partnership with an American sports betting exchange, which will include behind-the-scenes content featuring him throughout fight week.

Lewis, nicknamed "The Black Beast," holds a 29-14-0 professional record and is currently ranked eighth in the UFC heavyweight division. The 41-year-old American, who stands six-foot-three with a 79-inch reach, trains out of Main Street Boxing and Muay Thai. He lands 2.46 significant strikes per minute and carries a 49 percent striking accuracy across his career.

Costa, whose name was drawn into the rumor, is a ranked middleweight operating in an entirely different weight class. The Brazilian, known as "The Eraser," carries a 16-4-0 record and sits thirteenth in the middleweight division at age 35. Costa is one of the more aggressive strikers in his division, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making the notion of a crossweight matchup with Lewis an unlikely one even without Hawkit's clarification.

Why it matters

• Hawkit's statement removes any uncertainty about Lewis's status heading into his next scheduled appearance
• A Lewis-Costa matchup would have crossed two separate weight classes, making it an implausible booking regardless
• The betting exchange partnership signals a growing trend of fighter management teams pursuing media and brand deals alongside competitive bookings