Tallison Teixeira’s trajectory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been remarkably swift. At just 25 years old and with only one UFC bout under his belt, the undefeated Brazilian prospect finds himself thrust into a main event spotlight, facing the formidable and notoriously powerful veteran, Derrick Lewis, this Saturday in Nashville.
An Unbeaten Run and a Statement Debut
Teixeira boasts a perfect professional record, with all eight of his victories coming by way of finish since he turned pro in October 2021. His path to the UFC was paved with equally definitive performances, including a swift two-minute demolition on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024. His official UFC debut this past February against Justin Tafa lasted a mere 35 seconds, ending with a brutal knockout that immediately signaled his arrival in the heavyweight division.
Headlining against a fighter of Lewis’s stature in only his second organizational appearance underscores the significant confidence the UFC appears to have in Teixeira’s potential. A victory here, particularly another emphatic finish, would undoubtedly catapult him towards the top of the heavyweight rankings.
Navigating the Heavyweight Hierarchy
Teixeira is acutely aware of the opportunity before him. He envisions a rapid ascent should he dispatch Lewis convincingly. “I’ve had already thought about the possibility of, in case I put on a similar performance now, I see myself fighting a top-5 as soon as possible,” Teixeira stated. He mentioned potential matchups against high-ranked contenders like Sergei Pavlovich or Curtis Blaydes, while perhaps revealing a touch of strategic pragmatism by noting he would have preferred Marcin Tybura next, candidly assessing him as a comparatively easier opponent while still earning the same pay as beating a tougher challenge like Lewis. There`s a certain logic to tackling the harder task early, as he noted with a hint of dry amusement, “if you beat the toughest ones now, when you start to get paid more you have no one left to beat.”
The Matchup and the Mindset
Describing his impending clash with “The Black Beast,” Teixeira sees a favorable stylistic pairing. Lewis is known primarily for his devastating knockout power, a characteristic Teixeira acknowledges makes him “one of the most dangerous guys in the top 10.” However, Teixeira views himself as a more well-rounded fighter, possessing not only effective striking but also capable jiu-jitsu and takedowns. He feels equipped to handle the challenge Lewis presents.
Despite the magnitude of the event and the experience gap – Lewis had already made his professional MMA debut when Teixeira was just a 10-year-old child – the young fighter projects a composed and almost detached perspective. He dismisses the conventional pressure of a main event or facing a veteran. “I see it as just another fight,” he explained, viewing it simply as “another adversity I have to get past in order to get where I want.” He humorously suggested that Lewis, famous for his candid demeanor, likely isn`t feeling the pressure either (“Man, he stands in the octagon on an underwear. I don’t think he cares too much about this”). For Teixeira, the true, inherent pressure lies solely in the fundamental danger of stepping into the octagon with someone intent on defeating you. His method for staying relaxed? Imagining it’s just another Saturday sparring session at the gym with a new partner and a few onlookers.
Confidence in victory is high. Teixeira seldom foresees his fights going the distance, predicting a finish against Lewis in the first or second round. “I always give my all… I see myself finishing Derrick Lewis in the first or second rounds. I don’t see it going to the third or fourth rounds.”
Title Aspirations by 2026
With Jon Jones’s recent retirement clarifying the heavyweight title picture, now under the undisputed reign of Tom Aspinall, Teixeira sees a clear path opening up. His sights are set firmly on championship gold, and he has a specific timeline in mind. “Now that Jon Jones has retired, and the division is finally rolling, I expect to be fighting for the belt before the end of next year,” he declared.
He plans for one more fight after Lewis this year, positioning himself for a title challenge in 2026. His ambition extends beyond merely winning; he wants to “make history” in the UFC. When assessing the current divisional landscape and who might pose a threat to Aspinall, Teixeira singled out fellow Brazilian Jailton Almeida, nicknamed `Malhadinho`, as the most likely candidate. This offers another layer of regional pride, suggesting the belt could potentially land in Bahia, Brazil, one way or another – either via Almeida or Teixeira himself. It’s a bold statement from a fighter just beginning his UFC journey, but one delivered with apparent sincerity and conviction.
As Tallison Teixeira prepares for the biggest fight of his young career against a certified knockout artist, his performance in Nashville will be a critical indicator of whether his ambitious timeline for a title shot is realistic or simply the confident talk of an unproven prospect. The stage is set for a pivotal moment.
