Derrick Lewis Breaks Knockout Record in Nashville

The enthusiastic crowd at UFC Fight Night in Nashville, celebrating Derrick Lewis's record-breaking knockout.

News Summary

At UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Derrick Lewis made headlines by achieving his 16th knockout victory in just 35 seconds against Tallison Teixeira. Over 17,000 fans attended the event, which brought in over $2.2 million. More than just the win, Lewis’s celebration included a humorous imitation of urination in Teixeira’s corner and a phone call to President Donald Trump. Despite being a 250 underdog, Lewis’s powerful performance has prompted discussions about the heavyweight division and future UFC events in Nashville.

Nashville – Derrick Lewis made history on July 12 at the UFC Fight Night, extending his knockout record to 16 with a stunning 35-second win over Tallison Teixeira. The event took place at Bridgestone Arena, drawing more than 17,000 fans and generating over $2.2 million at the gate.

Lewis, also known as the all-time knockout leader in the UFC, celebrated his swift victory in a memorable manner, which included mimicking urinating in Teixeira’s corner and making a celebratory phone call to President Donald Trump. The call was arranged by UFC president Dana White, who confirmed that Trump was watching the event remotely. Lewis deemed the conversation with Trump as one of the highlights of his celebration, noting the significance of speaking with the president.

This fight marked Lewis’s first competition in 14 months, as he returned to the octagon after a lengthy layoff. Before this bout, Teixeira held an impressive 8-0 record, which Lewis questioned, suggesting that Teixeira’s prior opponents were not of significant caliber. This skepticism played a role in Lewis’s confidence as he faced him. In a rapid turn of events, Lewis struck Teixeira down with a powerful left hook, leading to a quick ending of the match.

Post-fight, Lewis expressed appreciation for the Nashville crowd, claiming its energy was comparable to that of his hometown audience in Houston. UFC president White noted the enthusiasm of the Nashville fan base and confirmed that the city would remain a target for future UFC events, indicating the growing popularity of MMA in the area.

In the co-main event, Gabriel Bonfim achieved a split decision victory over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, while Steve Garcia earned a unanimous decision against No. 14-ranked featherweight Calvin Kattar. However, Clarksville native Nate Landwehr faced a setback, suffering a knockout loss in the third round to France’s Morgan Charriere. Additionally, Vitor Petrino and Tuco Tokkos both secured their first UFC victories, with Petrino submitting Austen Lane in under one round and Tokkos finishing Junior Tafa in the second round.

The fight between Lewis and Teixeira was not without controversy, particularly surrounding the referee’s decision to stop the fight. Some commentators argued that the stoppage seemed premature. Referee Jason Herzog and former MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy discussed the decision post-fight, with Herzog sharing insights into his choice to intervene, emphasizing the importance of fighter safety.

Before the bout, Lewis was considered a +250 underdog against Teixeira, who was favored at -310. This upset victory not only underscored Lewis’s striking ability but also raised questions about Teixeira’s standing in the heavyweight division.

As the UFC continues to expand, Lewis’s remarkable performance has reinforced his position as a formidable athlete within the sport, while Nashville’s enthusiastic turnout indicates a promising future for UFC events in the city.