Mike Tomlin is a fan of heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis.Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a playoff berth with a stirring 26-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, the veteran coach celebrated by pounding his chest and blowing a kiss — a move patented by “The Black Beast.”
That was no coincidence, Tomlin said in a recent interview with Rich Eisen.“That’s just a tip of the hat to one of my favorite MMA competitors, Derrick Lewis,” Tomlin said. “That’s his party.”
Mike Tomlin.
What a legend. pic.twitter.com/BYr2LeVWNC
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna)
January 5, 2026
A matter of respect
Lewis is a fan-favorite UFC heavyweight thanks to both his penchant for knockouts and his sense of humor. “The Black Beast” is the promotion’s all-time leader in KO/TKO wins with 16 and has challenged for UFC heavyweight gold twice.“I have so much respect for that guy and the way he goes about his business,” Tomlin added.
The 40-year-old Lewis is coming off back-to-back finishes by Tallison Teixeira and Rodrigo Nascimento. He will take that two-fight winning streak into a high-profile bout against Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324 on January 24.
Tomlin, meanwhile, will lead the Steelers into the NFL Wild Card round on Monday against Lewis’ hometown team, the Houston Texans.
HOW ABOUT THIS: Mike Tomlin explains his chest-thumping slap-a-kiss after the Ravens game. It is a tribute to MMA fighter Derrick Lewis. I have no idea who that is. pic.twitter.com/cxI3oe0Job
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress)
January 7, 2026
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