Derrick Lewis is ready to deliver payday for everyone involved, while Tarison Teixeira aims to overcome the heavyweight veteran to boost his career. Their contrasting approaches collide at UFC Fight Night in Nashville this Saturday.
Lewis, known as “The Black Beast,” holds the UFC record for most knockouts and is competing for the second time with UFC Gold on the line. At 40, Lewis’s perspective is practical—he’s not focused on who he faces next but values the opportunity to fight and earn. He shared with CBS Sports that early in his career, fighting frequently was how he paid his rent, emphasizing that the fight game is about the payoff.
Teixeira, an unbeaten fighter at 8-0, steps up to challenge the knockout specialist. Despite having a lot less experience than Lewis, he’s favored to win. Teixeira boasts an impressive streak of eight first-round knockouts, including a recent 35-second victory over Justin Tafa, and is ranked 13th in the heavyweight division. If he tops Lewis, a seasoned 11-year veteran, he could jump into the top 10 with just two fights in the UFC.
Teixeira told CBS Sports through a translator that Lewis’s training is more intense than ever and praised his toughness, noting the danger of heavyweights striking with small gloves. Confident in his size and strength advantage, Teixeira believes he poses a bigger threat than past opponents.
Though the main event might not grab headlines immediately, it promises an exciting knockout. The fight night card includes exciting bouts like Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson versus Gabriel Bonfim, Steve Garcia against Calvin Kattar, and fan favorite Nate Landwehr also competing.
Here are the current odds for the main fights:
– Tarison Teixeira (-280) vs. Derrick Lewis (+210), Heavyweight
– Gabriel Bonfim (-410) vs. Stephen Thompson (+320), Welterweight
– Steve Garcia (-125) vs. Calvin Kattar (+105), Featherweight
– Morgan Charliere (-270) vs. Nate Landwehr (+220), Featherweight
– Vitor Petrino (-750) vs. Austin Lane (+525), Heavyweight
– Junior Tafa (-162) vs. Tuco Tokkos (+136), Light Heavyweight
The event is on July 12th at 9 PM at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will air on ESPN and stream on fubo for free trial users.
Prediction: Teixeira’s evolving footwork is key. If Lewis can’t close the gap, Teixeira’s reach and power might dominate, but Lewis’s ability to carefully enter striking range and unleash heavy shots gives him an edge. Since Teixeira has yet to be tested beyond the first round, questions about his stamina and adaptability lean the prediction toward Lewis securing a KO victory in the third round.
Fan Take: This fight is pivotal as it pits a seasoned knockout king against a rising threat, highlighting the clash between experience and youthful power. For fight fans, it’s a thrilling chance to witness if the new wave can topple a legend, shaping the future hierarchy of the heavyweight division.
