UFC Heavyweight star Derrick Lewis stole the show at UFC Fight Night this weekend, following a customary knockout victory against Tallison Teixeira in the main event at the Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night.
Lewis made his intentions known as soon as the first buzzer, with wild exchanges that put Teixeira immediately on the back foot.
Amid The Black Beast's swinging punches, Teixiera’s chin was tested early on and he found himself getting clipped in the first three minutes. The Brazilian then applied pressure but walked straight into Lewis’ vicious left hook before subsequently falling to the canvas.
With gas in his tank, Lewis saw out the fight with repeated punches to Teixeira’s head as referee Jason Herzog stepped in to stop the fight.
To top off the night, Lewis proceeded to take his pants off after getting the stoppage, while he also received a call from US President Donald Trump.
“Derrick came over and said, ‘Where’s the President?’,” UFC CEO Dana White said.
“And I said he’s not here tonight, but he’s watching. And I got him on the phone and put him on the phone.”
In the co-main event, Gabriel Bonfirm defeated UFC veteran Stephen Thompson by split decision across three rounds.
Thompson, who goes by the name ‘Wonderboy’, had the crowd on his side as they made their voices heard at the judge’s decision.
Nonetheless, Bonfirm, who emerged from the Dana White Contender Series, appeared to be more active than Thompson over the 15 minutes. The Brazilian’s grappling is what ultimately caught the eye of the judges, as he often outworked the 42-year-old on the mat.
The UFC will once again have a stacked card at UFC 318 next week, which will see fan favourites Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier do battle in the main event at the Smoothie King Centre on Saturday, 19 July.
UFC Fight Night Nashville Results
Main Event: Derrick Lewis defeats Tallison Teixeira by TKO (strikes) at 0:35 of Round 1
Co-main Event: Gabriel Bonfim defeats Stephen Thompson by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Steve Garcia defeats Calvin Kattar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Morgan Charriere defeats Nate Landwehr by KO (strikes) at 0:27 of Round 3
Vitor Petrino defeats Austen Lane by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:16 of Round 1