Derrick Lewis, the UFC’s knockout king, stirred controversy with his latest post-fight antics.
On July 12, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Derrick Lewis flattened Tallison Teixeira with a left hand in just 35 seconds. After the knockout, Lewis made headlines with his celebration, removing his shorts, mimicking urination toward Teixeira’s corner, throwing his cup into the stands, and mooning the audience. Speaking to Daniel Cormier cageside, he justified his actions, saying,
“They been talking shit all week, man. I can’t speak Portuguese, but I know for sure they was talking shit about me. F*ck ‘em.”
Derrick Lewis said ‘f*ck it’ and pulled out the full repertoire of celebrations 😂🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/Z4MiskFRGv
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 14, 2025
Lewis’ Knockout Record
Since his UFC debut in 2014, Lewis holds a 29-12 record with one no-contest. He shares the UFC record for most knockouts at 16, tied with Donald Cerrone for total finishes, per UFC Stats. He’s faced top heavyweights like Daniel Cormier and Ciryl Gane but hasn’t captured a title. His recent run has been uneven, with a 2-4 record in his last six fights before Teixeira, including a third-round knockout win over Rodrigo Nascimento in May 2024.
The fight ended quickly. Lewis dropped Teixeira with a left, and despite the Brazilian grabbing the cage illegally to stand, referee Jason Herzog halted the bout. Lewis called the cage grab a “ho-ass move” and supported the stoppage, stating:
“Yes, I expected the ref [to step in]. The ref should have been stopping it because [Teixeira] went in and out a couple of times before he even started grabbing the cage.” He also dismissed Teixeira’s 8-0 record, saying, “I just knew he’d been fighting tomato cans his whole career, so shit, I appreciate UFC helping your boy out and also I need some more of them taxi cab drivers they got in Brazil for my next fight.”
Lewis remains a fan favorite for his power and personality. He emphasized his confidence, saying:
“I know if I throw anything at anybody, no matter what it is, I know that they’re going to go down.”
With Tom Aspinall as the undisputed heavyweight champion following Jon Jones’ retirement. Lewis’ win keeps him relevant. Potential next opponents include Shamil Gaziev or Waldo Cortes-Acosta, though no fights are confirmed.
Teixeira, now 8-1, aimed for a top-15 spot after knocking out Justin Tafa in 35 seconds at UFC 312 in February 2025. Lewis derailed those plans, reinforcing his role as a division gatekeeper. His celebration, including a shoutout to President Donald Trump, underscored his larger-than-life character.
Lewis’ quick win and controversial antics made UFC Nashville memorable. At 40, his knockout power and bold personality keep him a standout in the heavyweight division, with his next fight eagerly anticipated.
