UFC Nashville should be a fun card, but it has some problems.
First and foremost, it’s an event that would have been better a few years ago. Much of the card — the top names like Derrick Lewis, Calvin Kattar, Stephen Thompson — are still fan favorites, but they were ranked more highly and performing better five years back. The name value remains, and they’re still likely to put on fun fights, but rising talent isn’t exactly the main draw of the event.
The bigger issue is the main event, which is lacking on both sides of the equation. Let me first make it clear that I am a fan of “The Black Beast.” He has the most knockouts in UFC history and has some bonafide classics on the mic to boot — the positives of Lewis are more than enough to overlook the occasional stinkers.
Still, the man is 40 years old.
Though he certainly carries his power late, cardio has never been a Lewis strong suit. The man does not enjoy long fights. Last year, Lewis publicly stated more than once that he would prefer not to be main event, because training for five-round fights is a lot of work! Let’s be honest, if a Lewis fight hits the championship rounds at this stage of the game, the bout has probably not been a lot of fun to watch.
Go rewatch his 2023 main event versus Jailton Almeida if unconvinced.
Furthermore, Lewis isn’t in the title picture anymore. He’s lost four of his last six bouts, and the two knockout wins were not over top-ranked opposition. Realistically, he hasn’t defeated a Top 10 foe since Curtis Blaydes in 2021. In the year 2025, he’s much more of a fan favorite than title threat.
Lewis’ foil, Tallison Teixeira, is a 25-year-old prospect with exactly two notable features. First and foremost, he knocks people out quickly! That’s great but also somewhat standard for a Heavyweight up-and-comer. Secondly, he’s 6’7,” a fact UFC has promoted heavily anyone who remembers Stefan Struve will recall height alone doesn’t guarantee success.
The Brazilian has fought just once inside the Octagon, knocking out Justin Tafa in 35 seconds. Prior to that win, he smashed almost entirely novice opposition on the regional scene.
Simply put, he hasn’t done anything to prove himself particularly good yet.
Teixeira might be the next Tom Aspinall or the next Shamil Gaziev, but forcing him up the ranks too quickly increases the odds of the latter. More experience against unranked opponents would greatly benefit his longterm growth. Instead, he’s being shoved into this main event slot because the promotion is desperate for new Heavyweight contenders and main events.
In all likelihood, Lewis vs. Teixeira will be an enjoyable clash of big hitters, but that doesn’t make it an appropriate main event or match up.
LIVE! Stream UFC Nashville On ESPN+
HEAVY LEATHER! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) crashes Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sat., July 12, 2025, with UFC Nashville. Record-setting knockout artist, Derrick Lewis, collides with undefeated up-and-comer, Tallison Teixeira, in a blistering main event mashup scheduled for five, five-minute rounds. In UFC Nashville’s co-main event, former welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson, locks horns with once-beaten Brazilian bruiser, Gabriel Bonfim, with a spot in the welterweight Top 15 up for grabs.
Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Nashville fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 9 p.m. ET (also on ESPN/ESPN+).
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