Derrick Lewis, Tallison Teixeira, you have got one job, gents.
A few weeks in the past, following a titanic heavyweight conflict between Jhonata Diniz and Alvin Hines that went the gap, I famous it had been 105 days since the newest end within the UFC heavyweight division (March 15, 2025, Waldo Cortes-Acosta KO of Ryan Spann, to be actual). That has stretched to 119 days, however shouldn’t go previous Saturday when Lewis and Teixeira conflict within the UFC Nashville major occasion.
(And for good measure, there are two different heavyweight fights on Saturday’s card that also needs to be devoid of enter from the judges.)
So no matter what’s at stake for both fighter, on the very least we may be optimistic the headlining bout will remind us how enjoyable it may be when the massive boys are in there—to coin a phrase from Lewis himself—swangin’ and bangin’. Lewis has gone to only one choice up to now 5 years, whereas the undefeated Teixeira has by no means even seen the second spherical in eight profession fights.
Let’s do that!
What: UFC Nashville
The place: Bridgestone Area in Nashville, Tenn.
When: Saturday, July 12. The six-fight preliminary card begins at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight major card at 9 p.m. ET additionally on ESPN and ESPN+.
Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira
That is the half the place I let you know Derrick Lewis has solely misplaced to the cream of the crop at heavyweight.
Jailton Almeida. Serghei Spivac. Sergei Pavlovich. Tai Tuivasa. Ciryl Gane.
Admittedly, “cream of the crop at heavyweight” doesn’t imply what it used to, however the level stands that Lewis typically solely loses to high 10 fighters in his division or opponents on a transparent ascent up the rankings. Sadly for Lewis, Tallison Teixeira would possibly simply match that invoice.
At 6-foot-7, Teixeira brings bodily traits to the octagon that may’t be matched. He’s no lumbering huge man, although, he’s able to unleashing sudden strikes that may finish matches out of nowhere. As talked about above, he’s by no means seen the second spherical and solely fought previous the second minute twice. If he places Lewis away, he’ll do it shortly.
Ought to Lewis coax Teixeira right into a feeling-out spherical after which get his grappling getting in Spherical 2, that would spell bother for the Brazilian big. We merely don’t know what sort of gasoline tank he has.
It shouldn’t matter. I don’t have a lot religion in Lewis’ skill to keep away from nor soak up laborious punches anymore and Teixeira goes to tag him early. A come-from-behind victory is all the time attainable once we’re speaking about “The Black Beast,” however I’m predicting Teixeira provides one other first-round end to his rising hit record.
Decide: Teixeira
Stephen Thompson vs. Gabriel Bonfim
In contradictory trend, I’m going with Stephen Thompson to beat his budding Brazilian challenger.
The age hole between Thompson and Gabriel Bonfim is 15 years, the identical as that between Lewis and Teixeira. One distinction is I nonetheless believe in Thompson’s skill to evade photographs, regardless of his current knockout loss to Joaquin Buckley. “Wonderboy” stays a singular drawback within the standup.
Now, whether or not Thompson can cope with Bonfim’s grappling is one other query completely. If there’s been one confirmed method for beating Thompson, it’s out-muscling him and taking him down and Bonfim can be silly to not pressure a couple of takedowns. Bonfim is extra of a reactionary wrestler, so so long as Thompson can maintain his distance as standard, he ought to be capable to keep out of hazard.
That’s an enormous if given how explosive Bonfim may be. Nonetheless, I’ve confidence in Thompson to snipe from vary and frustrate Bonfim for 3 rounds en path to a choice win.
Decide: Thompson
Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia
Calvin Kattar’s current hunch isn’t as unhealthy because it seems to be on paper.
Josh Emmett? Arguably gained that one. Arnold Allen? Knee harm stopped that one earlier than it may actually get going. Aljamain Sterling? Former UFC champion! And Youssef Zalal? No excuses there, Kattar simply received beat.
My level is it’s not as if Kattar has simply develop into some punching bag. He’s nonetheless aggressive with nearly all of the featherweight division and a fairly stiff take a look at for the white sizzling Steve Garcia.
“Imply Machine” has been on a ridiculous tear, knocking out his previous 5 opponents, a KO streak that trails solely legends Chuck Liddell (7) and Don Frye (6), and heavyweight slugger Sergei Pavlovich (6). I don’t count on him to punch Kattar out because the Massachusetts has by no means been completed by way of strikes, but when Garcia pulls that off, then the sky is the restrict for him.
Garcia is so on level proper now I’ve to select him, although Kattar can have his fair proportion of success of their exchanges. I see Garcia touchdown the more durable photographs at key moments within the struggle, which ought to be sufficient to win over the judges.
Decide: Garcia
Nate Landwehr vs. Morgan Charriere
We all know Morgan Charriere can struggle, however can he scrap?
That’s the query you must ask of any man who dares to step into the trail of “The Practice” Nate Landwehr. No, Landwehr would possibly by no means win any awards for being essentially the most technical fighter, however when it comes right down to throwing down, few are higher.
Landwehr, sometimes to his detriment, has the reward of having the ability to lure virtually any opponent right into a slugfest and when you can’t match the warmth he’s throwing, you will get melted actual quick. Positive, it’s attainable Charriere places on a tactical efficiency (borrrriiiiiing) that fully befuddles Landwehr, however I wouldn’t wager on it. Landwehr has sufficient methods up his sleeve to match Charriere approach for approach he has to and as quickly as he sees an opportunity to open up, he’s going to let the leather-based fly.
Charriere will dangle powerful with Landwehr, however ultimately his defenses will break down and Landwehr will develop into the primary man to KO “The Final Pirate.”
Decide: Landwehr
Vitor Petrino vs. Austen Lane
Vitor Petrino was effectively on his technique to shaking up the sunshine heavyweight division earlier than he bumped into two opponents with much more expertise, Anthony Smith and Dustin Jacoby. It’s comprehensible if followers are dissatisfied with how his run at 205 kilos ended, however perhaps he was meant to compete on the additional finish of the dimensions all alongside.
We’ll discover out when he squares up with Austen Lane, a high-level athlete whose martial arts abilities go away lots to be desired, significantly with regards to his protection. For somebody along with his bodily items, you’d suppose Lane would have developed the sort of motion that makes him more durable to hit, however alas, that’s not the case. All six of his losses have come by means of knockout.
Don’t count on that to alter Saturday. Possibly Lane goes all out to sort out Petrino to the bottom simply as he did in his lone UFC win in opposition to the harmful Robelis Despaigne. I doubt that might be efficient, although. Petrino retains this one standing and faucets Lane’s chin a couple of occasions to finish this mercifully within the first.
Decide: Petrino
Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos
It is a 205-pound bout, however actually it feels just like the fourth heavyweight struggle on the cardboard. Although perhaps that simply says one thing in regards to the state of the sunshine heavyweight division proper now.
Justin Tafa is shifting down in weight for this one and the sport Tuco Tokkos has the tall activity of giving the hard-hitting Australian a heat welcome. Two issues are in Tokkos’ favor: His intelligent footwork and a attain benefit. He has the potential to string collectively strikes and takedown makes an attempt to throw Tafa off his recreation. He’ll must struggle good, as a result of Tafa might be trying to take his head off from minute one.
As a lot as I like Tokkos’ skill to muck up a struggle, he’s missing the pinnacle motion and counter-striking essential to maintain Tafa from strolling him down. The Tafa brothers are identified for his or her hand velocity, so Junior doesn’t want a lot of an invite to begin winging bombs. Tokkos’ chin isn’t precisely iron both.
Tokkos might be on the back-foot for so long as this struggle lasts, which shouldn’t be various minutes. Tafa by first-round knockout.
Decide: Tafa
Preliminaries
Chris Curtis def. Max Griffin
Chidi Njokuani def. Jake Matthews
Lauren Murphy def. Eduarda Moura
Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Valter Walker
Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez
Fatima Kline def. Melissa Martinez
