July 15, 2025

Derrick Lewis Sets UFC Knockout Record with Swift Victory

here-intlog
July 15, 2025
5:28 am
Milwaukee

News Summary

Derrick Lewis made a remarkable comeback at a UFC Fight Night event with a swift 35-second knockout of Tallison Teixeira, extending his UFC knockout record to 16. The event, held at Bridgestone Arena, captivated an enthusiastic crowd and marked Lewis’s return after a 14-month hiatus. Celebrating with playful antics, Lewis connected with former President Trump post-fight, which he described as the highlight of his celebration. The event also featured several notable fights, and the quick nature of Lewis’s win sparked discussions about referee decisions regarding the match’s stoppage.

Nashville – Derrick Lewis made history at the UFC Fight Night event on July 12 by extending his UFC knockout record to 16 with a swift 35-second victory over Tallison Teixeira. The event took place at Bridgestone Arena, attracting a lively audience of over 17,000 fans and generating approximately $2.2 million at the gate.

In a stunning display, Lewis’s left hook secured a rapid knockout, marking his return to the octagon after a 14-month hiatus. The victory was celebrated by Lewis through playful antics, including a gesture mimicking urination in Teixeira’s corner. Following his win, Lewis connected with former President Donald Trump via phone, a moment he called the highlight of his celebration. UFC president Dana White facilitated this phone call after Trump watched the fight remotely.

Despite Teixeira entering the match with an impressive 8-0 record, Lewis dismissed his opponent’s previous victories by suggesting they were against lesser competition. He also raised eyebrows with a critique of Teixeira’s behavior during the fight, accusing him of trying to manipulate the rules by holding onto the cage to recover after being knocked down. The match concluded before the first minute, demonstrating Lewis’s power and efficiency as a fighter.

The event in Nashville captivated the audience, and Lewis remarked on the city’s energetic atmosphere, noting that it rivaled the excitement he often experiences in his home city of Houston. Dana White confirmed that the enthusiasm displayed by fans in Nashville would keep the city on the UFC’s radar for future events.

In addition to Lewis’s highlight reel performance, the co-main event featured Gabriel Bonfim defeating Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson by split decision. Other notable outcomes included Steve Garcia winning a unanimous decision against No. 14-ranked featherweight Calvin Kattar, and Clarksville native Nate Landwehr suffering a knockout loss to Morgan Charriere from France in the third round. Additional undercard action saw Vitor Petrino submit Austen Lane in less than a round, while Tuco Tokkos marked his first UFC victory with a submission against Junior Tafa in the second round.

However, the quick nature of the Lewis vs. Teixeira fight sparked controversy regarding the referee’s decision to stop the match. Some observers argued that the stoppage was premature, despite Lewis landing significant strikes. Referee Jason Herzog, alongside former MMA referee John McCarthy, engaged in discussions about the stoppage. Herzog stated that safety concerns played a crucial role in the decision to intervene, prioritizing the well-being of the fighters in such fast-paced situations.

Going into the fight, Lewis was considered a +250 underdog to Teixeira, who was the favored fighter at -310. However, after such a decisive victory, Lewis’s performance may have shifted perceptions about his effectiveness in the octagon. With this win, the fighter has not only solidified his status as the all-time knockout leader in UFC history but also set the stage for potential future matchups as he looks to continue building on his comeback.