Derrick Lewis will face Tallison Teixeira at UFC Fight Night in Nashville on Saturday.
Lewis, known as “The Black Beast,” has made a name for himself in MMA, holding the record for the most UFC knockouts. Although many fighters aspire to be champions, Lewis’s focus remains straightforward: getting paid.
“It’s always been the number one thing, even when I started,” Lewis stated. “I was fighting every other month before I was in the UFC. That’s how I’d pay my rent.”
Teixeira seeks to establish himself by defeating a veteran like Lewis. Despite being a newcomer, he enters the ring as the favorite.
“Training for Derrick was different than ever before. It was very intense,” Teixeira mentioned. “He’s a tough opponent.”
Fight Card & Odds
| Favorite | Underdog | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|
| Tallison Teixeira -280 | Derrick Lewis +210 | Heavyweight |
| Gabriel Bonfim -410 | Stephen Thompson +320 | Welterweight |
| Steve Garcia -125 | Calvin Kattar +105 | Featherweight |
| Morgan Charriere -270 | Nate Landwehr +220 | Featherweight |
| Vitor Petrino -750 | Austen Lane +525 | Heavyweight |
| Junior Tafa -162 | Tuco Tokkos +136 | Light Heavyweight |
Viewing Details
Date: July 12 | Start Time: 9 p.m. ET (main card) Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville | TV Channel: ESPN | Stream: fubo
Prediction
The way Teixeira utilizes his reach and power will crucially impact this fight. If Lewis closes the distance effectively, he can capitalize on his striking power. Nevertheless, the uncertainty around Teixeira’s endurance raises questions on whether he can finish the fight early.
My pick is Lewis via KO in the third round.
