UFC Fight Night Preview - Lewis vs. Teixeira: Can the Black Beast tarnish Xicao’s unbeaten UFC record? July 10, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

UFC Fight Night - Lewis vs. Teixeira is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The prelims kick off at 7 p.m. EDT, followed by the main card at 10 p.m. EDT.

Fighter Profiles

Derrick Lewis
Derrick Lewis (28-12-0, 1 NC), a 40-year-old UFC veteran and former heavyweight title contender, holds the record for the most knockouts in UFC history with 15. Known for his devastating punching power, Lewis often compensates for technical limitations with raw strength and explosiveness. His brawler-style approach favors striking and an uncanny ability to escape grappling exchanges by simply standing up. Of his 28 career wins, 23 have come by knockout—an 82% KO rate. He most recently scored a third-round TKO over Rodrigo Nascimento in May 2024. Despite his age, Lewis remains one of the division's most dangerous punchers. With 29 UFC bouts under his belt—more than any other active heavyweight—and eight fight-night bonuses, Lewis brings unmatched experience into the cage.

Tallison Teixeira
Tallison Teixeira (8-0-0) is a rising Brazilian powerhouse and one of the UFC's most promising heavyweight prospects. At just 25, he is 15 years younger than Lewis and boasts an imposing 6'7" frame with an 83-inch reach. Teixeira specializes in aggressive striking rooted in kickboxing, using dynamic head and leg combinations to overwhelm his opponents. All eight of his victories have come via first-round finishes—seven knockouts and one submission. He made an emphatic UFC debut in February 2025 by stopping Justin Tafa in just 35 seconds, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Teixeira's style is relentless and violent, built around finishing fights quickly. While he has been dominant so far, a closer examination of his early opponents reveals questionable competition, including one win under modified rules. Nevertheless, he enters this bout as the betting favorite.

Lewis vs. Teixeira Sports Bet Odds

Tallison "Xicao" Teixeira is the favorite to win the match. Here are our latest odds:

• Teixeira as the favorite has a money line of -280 while Lewis as the underdog has +240.
• Xicao winning by KO/TKO or DQ has a money line of -185.
• Lewis pinning Teixeira via submission has a money line of +700.

Final Thoughts

Analysts largely agree this heavyweight showdown is unlikely to go the distance, given the knockout potential on both sides. Lewis remains a potent threat thanks to his experience and one-punch knockout ability, even as questions linger about his cardio and durability in later rounds.

Teixeira, though untested against top-tier opposition, brings speed, size, and ruthless finishing instincts. This matchup marks a significant step up in competition—and his first main event outside the UFC Apex.

The bout is expected to be a slugfest, with close-range exchanges likely. If Teixeira can maintain range or implement grappling to wear Lewis down, he stands a strong chance of victory. But if Lewis can force chaotic pocket brawls, his short-range power—particularly the uppercut—could turn the tide in an instant. While Teixeira is the favorite on paper, Lewis remains a live underdog with the potential to end the fight at any moment.

Lewis vs. Teixeira Tale of the Tape

Derrick 'The Black Beast' Lewis	VS	Tallison 'Xicao' Teixeira
28-12-0, 1NC	Record	8-0-0
Win	Last Fight	Win
United States	Country	Brazil
6' 3"	Height	6' 7"
260.0 LBS	Weight	258.0 LBS
79.0"	Reach	83.0"
43.5"	Leg Reach	43.0"
50%	Significant Strikes	59%
40%	Strikes Defense	59%
26%	Takedown Accuracy	0%
52%	Takedown Defense	0%