Derrick Lewis is stepping back into the spotlight.
The fan-favorite heavyweight will headline UFC Nashville on July 12, facing off against undefeated up-and-comer Tallison Teixeira. MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck confirmed the matchup following an initial report by Laerte Viana.
This bout will mark Lewis’ 30th fight in the UFC. Now 40, the veteran hasn’t fought in over a year but made a statement in his last outing scoring a third-round knockout over Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis in May 2024. That win was just his second in his last six fights, but Lewis remains one of the division’s most dangerous finishers.
His opponent, Teixeira (8-0), is one of the most intriguing new faces in the heavyweight ranks. Standing 6-foot-7, the 25-year-old Brazilian made a thunderous UFC debut in February, finishing Justin Tafa with strikes in just 35 seconds. He earned his contract through Dana White’s Contender Series and has maintained a 100% finish rate so far.
UFC Nashville marks the UFC’s return to Tennessee’s capital for the first time since August 2023, when Cory Sandhagen earned a unanimous decision over Rob Font in the main event.
