At UFC Nashville, heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis once again proved why he`s one of the most feared knockout artists in the division. His victory over Tallison Teixeira was swift and decisive, ending in just 35 seconds. However, it was Lewis`s post-fight actions and subsequent commentary that captured significant attention, adding another memorable chapter to his career defined by both devastating power and unpredictable personality.
Immediately following the stoppage, Lewis engaged in a series of unconventional displays. Most notably, he mimed urinating towards his opponent`s corner. This provocative gesture was followed by him removing his shorts, tossing his protective cup into the audience, and briefly mooning the crowd, before concluding with a remarkably candid remark about his personal plans.
When questioned about the specific act of mimicking urination, Lewis was direct in his explanation. He stated that he perceived disrespectful commentary directed at him from Teixeira`s team throughout the week leading up to the fight. His action, he implied, was a direct response to this perceived `trash talk`, delivered with a clear, albeit coarse, message to his detractors.
Beyond the post-fight spectacle, the victory itself solidified Lewis`s standing in the UFC record books. This knockout marked his 16th TKO/KO win in the promotion, extending his record for the most knockouts in UFC history. He also drew level with Donald Cerrone for the second-most finishes overall within the organization, trailing only Jim Miller and Charles Oliveira.
The fight`s conclusion wasn`t entirely without debate. While referee Jason Herzog waved off the contest, Teixeira was in the process of attempting to stand. However, replays clearly showed Teixeira illegally grabbing the fence with both hands to assist himself. Lewis himself commented on this foul, characterizing it as a `ho-ass move` and asserting that Teixeira was undeniably hurt prior to resorting to the illegal tactic. He maintained that the referee`s decision to stop the fight was appropriate, citing Teixeira`s impaired state and the illegal cage grab.
Lewis also offered a rather blunt assessment of Teixeira`s prior competition level. Despite Teixeira`s undefeated 8-0 record coming into the bout, Lewis suggested that his opponent had faced what he termed `tomato cans` throughout his career. With a characteristic mix of humor and confidence, Lewis jokingly requested that the UFC provide him with more opponents of a similar perceived caliber, lightheartedly likening them to `taxi cab drivers` from Brazil – a jab perhaps aimed at the depth of competition he felt Teixeira had previously faced.
In summary, Derrick Lewis delivered a performance at UFC Nashville that was quintessentially `The Black Beast` – a rapid, devastating knockout followed by a controversial, attention-grabbing celebration and unfiltered, memorable post-fight remarks. His ability to combine legitimate heavyweight power with a unique, often irreverent personality ensures he remains one of the UFC`s most popular and compelling figures, always ready to entertain inside and outside the octagon.
