UFC Nashville Delivered Fireworks—Biggest Winners and Losers, In-Depth Review + Quick Match Results

Date of Event: July 12, 2025
Location: Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, Tennessee

UFC Nashville didn’t just shake the canvas — it rattled the heavyweight rankings and may have breathed new life into a fan favorite's career. Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis returned in terrifying form, flattening rising contender Tallison Teixeira in just 35 seconds during Saturday’s explosive main event.

Let’s break down the highs, lows, and storylines coming out of the Music City fight night.

💥 Main Card Highlights

• Derrick Lewis def. Tallison Teixeira (TKO, Round 1): Lewis landed a devastating left hook followed by a barrage of hammerfists to earn his 16th career knockout. It’s his second consecutive KO win and perhaps a statement to the division’s top brass — Tom Aspinall, are you watching?
• Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (Split Decision): Bonfim leaned on relentless grappling and five key takedowns to edge out the veteran striker. The win wasn’t flashy, but it showed grit.
• Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar (Unanimous Decision): Garcia extended his UFC win streak to six with a gritty, high-output performance. Known for early finishes, Garcia showed he can also go the distance — and dominate.
• Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr (TKO, Round 3): Charriere put on a clinic and ended things with a flurry late in the third, possibly earning himself a performance bonus.
• Vitor Petrino def. Austen Lane (Submission, Round 1): Petrino transitioned beautifully to the back and locked in a rear-naked choke for a flawless first-round finish.
• Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa (Submission, Round 2): Tokkos needed a win, and he delivered, rebounding from back-to-back losses with a solid second-round sub.

🔍 Prelims Worth a Replay

• Chris Curtis edged Max Griffin by split decision in a razor-close war.
• Jake Matthews choked out Chidi Njokuani with a first-round rear-naked choke.
• Eduarda Moura outclassed Lauren Murphy on the scorecards.
• Valter Walker delivered a rare inverted heel hook submission against Kennedy Nzechukwu.
• Mike Davis scored a brutal second-round TKO over Mitch Ramirez.
• Fatima Kline showed heart and skill, stopping Melissa Martinez in the final round.

🏆 Biggest Winner: Derrick Lewis

Lewis might be having the most fun of his career — and the most violent resurgence. With two back-to-back knockouts and an itch for gold, Lewis is once again impossible to ignore. Title shot? Maybe. Title eliminator? Absolutely. Either way, he’s back and dangerous.

🏃‍♂️ Runner-Up: Steve Garcia

No knockout this time, but Garcia proved he’s more than a fast starter. With six straight wins, he’s knocking on the door of the featherweight elite. Durable, versatile, and still hunting finishes — he’s got momentum on his side.

👎 Biggest Losers: Tallison Teixeira & Calvin Kattar

• Kattar’s fifth straight loss could spell the end of his UFC run. Once a top contender, he’s now battling irrelevance.
• Teixeira, meanwhile, found out the hard way that jumping levels too soon comes at a price. Facing Lewis in just his second UFC bout was a gamble — and one that ended violently.

🗞️ MainEvent.News | BackStage Take:

UFC Nashville wasn’t just another Fight Night — it was a turning point. Derrick Lewis reestablished himself as must-see TV, while Garcia reminded the world he’s more than a knockout artist. As for the newcomers and veterans who stumbled, Nashville may be remembered as the night their careers shifted — for better or worse. The DCU isn’t the only franchise building momentum — UFC’s storylines just got a whole lot more interesting.