Knockout king Derrick Lewis returns to the UFC

UFC heavyweight knockout record holder Derrick Lewis will face 25-year-old Tallison Teixeira today, marking his return to the octagon after more than a year.

Born in 1985, Lewis has been fighting professionally since 2010, competing in promotions like Bellator MMA and Legacy FC, where he won the heavyweight championship. The American fighter holds the record for most knockouts in UFC history (15) and is currently ranked 9th in the UFC heavyweight division.

Derrick Lewis delivers a high kick during his TKO victory over Rodrigo Nascimento in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on 11/5/2024. Photo: *Zuffa LLC*

Lewis endured a three-fight losing streak between 2022 and 2023, leading many to question his future in the UFC. However, he made a spectacular comeback, culminating in a knockout victory against Rodrigo Nascimento in May 2024. This was his 15th knockout win, solidifying his title as the "UFC Knockout King."

Beyond his knockout power, Lewis is also known for his unique victory celebrations, including removing his shorts in the octagon and performing the "horse dance" from Psy's "Gangnam Style."

Derrick Lewis removes his shorts after defeating Rodrigo Nascimento.

After over a year away, Lewis returns to face undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira at the UFC Fight Night in Nashville, Tennessee today, 12/7.

Standing at 2.01m tall, Teixeira boasts an 8-0 professional record, with all wins coming by first-round knockout. Most recently, the Brazilian fighter scored a TKO victory over Justin Tafa in his UFC debut in February 2025.

Tallison Teixeira knocks out Justin Tafa.

The fight between Lewis and Teixeira marks a clash between the oldest (40) and youngest (25) fighters in heavyweight history.

This is Lewis' fourth consecutive fight against a Brazilian opponent. He won the previous three by knockout, against Rodrigo Nascimento and Marcos Rogerio de Lima. This serves as a warning to Teixeira, despite the difference in age and experience.

Lewis stated he underwent rigorous training during his time off and affirmed he will stick to his signature fighting style: no stalling, no prolonged engagements, aiming for the knockout. The 40-year-old emphasized that his experience will be a major challenge for Teixeira, who has limited high-level experience and only one UFC fight.

"Facing someone like me is unpredictable and dangerous. You never know what will happen. It's too early for him to fight someone like me," Lewis said confidently.

Compiled by Hong Duy

By VnExpress: https://vnexpress.net/hung-than-knock-out-tai-xuat-ufc-4913357.html