Derrick Lewis found a reason to dislike Daniel Cormier before they were booked to fight. At a UFC 226 press conference in July 2018, he accused Cormier of disrespecting Popeyes chicken.
Cormier was a fan of the chain himself. He had even tried to secure a sponsorship. But by the time they met for the UFC heavyweight championship that November, Popeyes had signed Lewis instead.
Why Did Lewis Accuse Cormier of Disrespecting Popeyes?
The joke traced back to a video Cormier made for the 2015 World MMA Awards. In a parody of Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” he sang about his love of cake and chicken, appearing shirtless and dancing.
The video celebrated his appetite. Lewis treated it like an offense against his favorite restaurant.
“He disrespected that Popeyes chicken on a commercial,” Lewis said.
Their exchange came months before Lewis knocked out Alexander Volkov at UFC 229 and earned a quick turnaround against Cormier at UFC 230. As the title fight approached, the chicken joke became a business opportunity.
Lewis’ management confirmed his Popeyes deal to MMA Fighting. His agent, Malki Kawa, also announced that a Houston-area location had offered Lewis free food for life, separate from the corporate arrangement. A Cypress restaurant promised fans free meals during a two-hour window if he won the championship.
How Did Carl’s Jr. Get Involved?
Cormier played up being passed over. At UFC 230 media day, he joked that asking Popeyes for money might have hurt his chances. Then he proposed a response.
A signing and free burgers at Carl’s Jr.
The burger chain joined in. Its Twitter account added “Daniel Cormier fan account” to its name and backed him for the fight. A sponsorship followed during the buildup.
On November 3, 2018, Cormier submitted Lewis in the second round at Madison Square Garden to retain his heavyweight title. The restaurant promotion continued afterward. Cormier asked fans to post selfies with a Carl’s Jr. Famous Star burger and tag the fighter they wanted him to face next.
Lewis left without the belt, but the Popeyes arrangement survived the loss. The following March, MMA Fighting reported that he had received both a lifetime membership and a sponsorship payment.
Only one left with the belt, but neither left empty-handed.
