UFC ESPN 70 Overview of the Event
- Event Name: UFC Fight Night Nashville, also known as UFC on ESPN 70: Lewis vs. Teixeira
- Date: July 12, 2025Place: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Broadcast: The prelims will be on UFC ESPN 70 + at 6 pm ET, and the main card will be on at 9 pm ET.
This is the UFC’s seventh time in Nashville and the first time since August 2023. It has a big heavyweight main event that promises high-stakes action in the Octagon.
Main Event Breakdown
🥊 Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis
- Age/Height/Reach: 40 years old, 6′3″ tall, and has a reach of 79 inches
- Record: 28–12–0 (1 NC)
- Finishes: 23 KOs/TKOs (82%), 1 submission, and 4 decisions
- Recent Performance:
- KO win over Rodrigo Nascimento (May 2024)
- Overall, a mixed form; 3 wins in the last 8 fights, all by stoppage
- Style & Threat:
- An orthodox striker known for his ability to end fights with a single punch.
- He has the most knockouts in UFC history, with 15
- It takes 2.14 significant strikes per minute and 1.25 head strikes per minute
Tale of the Tape:
| Attribute | Lewis |
|---|---|
| Height | 6′3″ |
| Reach | 79″ |
| Sig. Strikes Abs/min | 2.14 |
| KO % of Wins | 82 % |
🛡️ Tallison “Xicão” Teixeira
- Age/Height/Reach: 25 years old, 6′7″ tall, and 83″ long
- Record: 8–0–0
- Finishes: All 8 of them ended in the first round (7 KOs and 1 submission)
- Best Moments in Career:
- Got a UFC contract through the Contender Series (won by KO against Arthur Lopes)
- Knocked out Justin Tafa in less than a minute in his first UFC fight, UFC 312 (February 2025)
- Style and Threat:
- Orthodox, strong striker who likes to start fights early and finish them in the first round. * Taller and longer than Lewis, which could give him an edge in reach.
- Tale of the Tape:
| Attribute | Teixeira |
|---|---|
| Height | 6′7″ |
| Reach | 83″ |
| Finishes | 8 in Round 1 |
🧠 A Comparison of Talents Head-to-Head
Physical Traits
| Fighter | Height | Reach | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis | 6′3″ | 79″ | 40 |
| Teixeira | 6′7″ | 83″ | 25 |
- Teixeira’s 4″ height and 4″ reach give him control of the octagon and the ability to strike from a distance.
Skills and Experience
- Lewis:
- Fights experienced veterans, with 40 UFC fights since 2014
- Elite knockout power; can end fights with a bang at any time.
- Teixeira:
- Never lost, finished every fight early.
- Younger but less experienced (only one UFC fight so far).
Statistical Profile
| Stat | Lewis | Teixeira |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 28‑12‑0 | 8‑0 |
| KO Rate | 82 % of wins | 100 % |
| Sig Strikes Abs/min | 2.14 | (likely higher against elite) |
| UFC Rank | #9 Heavyweight | #14 |
Co-Main and Feature Bouts
There are 11 more fights at the event, and some of them are very important:
- Welterweight: Stephen Thompson (17-8-1) vs. Gabriel Bonfim (17-1)
- Featherweight: Calvin Kattar (23–9) vs. Steve Garcia (17–5)
- Featherweight: Nate Landwehr (18–6) vs. Morgan Charrière (20–11–1)
- Heavyweight: Vitor Petrino (11–2) vs. Austen Lane (13–6)
- Light Heavyweight: Junior Tafa (6–3) vs. Tuco Tokkos (10–5)
- More fights in the strawweight, flyweight, and lightweight divisions
Venue: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
- Capacity: About 19,000 for UFC events
- Historic value: This is the 7th UFC visit, the first since August 2023
- City Appeal: The event is more exciting and lively because Nashville’s combat sports fan base is growing quickly.
Strategic Analysis and Predictions
Important Match Dynamics
- Reach and Timing: Teixeira has a longer reach (83 inches vs. 79 inches), which lets him stay out of Lewis’s reach and attack before Lewis can respond.
- Experience vs. Momentum: Lewis has the experience and power to chase a championship, while Teixeira has the speed, youth, and confidence to finish.
- Breakdown of the Fight Scenario:
- Scenario 1—Early Knockout: Teixeira wins quickly by using his range and a variety of strikes.
- Scenario 2 – Deep Game Plan: Lewis stays calm under pressure and takes advantage of Teixeira’s lack of experience late in the rounds.
- Scenario 3—Tactical Chessmatch: Both sides are careful in their exchanges, which leads to a tactical war that is decided by volume and nerve.
Information on Betting and Odds
- Teixeira was a +210 underdog; Lewis was favored at –260
- The Tapology community is 65% in favor of Teixeira finishing
This split shows a classic matchup between a veteran and a phenom: an underdog with power against a favorite with pedigree.
A Picture Summary: Tale of the Tape
| Attribute | Lewis (40 years) | Teixeira (25 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Height: 6′3″; 6′7″; Reach: 79″; 83″; Record: 28–12–0; 8–0–0; KO/TKO Finish %: 82%; 100%; | ||
| UFC Rank: #9 Heavyweight #14 Heavyweight | ||
| Sig Strikes Abs/min: 2.14; N/A (probably higher) |
Head Strikes Abs/min: 1.25 N/A Experience: 40 UFC fights; 1 UFC fight
Tactical Scouting
Derrick Lewis
- Strengths:
- Hard to knock out with one punch * 10+ years of training in the octagon * Known for his fight-day persona, which gives him a psychological edge *
- Age (40) and fight history have taken their toll on him. * He tends to take a lot of hits (2.14 per minute). * Younger, faster strikers can outwork him.
Teixeira Tallison
- Strong Points:
- Youthful energy, high output * Longest heavyweight reach in event * Unstoppable finish rate—first-round knockout streak * Weaknesses:
- Little experience in the UFC and at the highest levels * May make technical mistakes under pressure * Conditioning in later rounds is untested
Betting and Fan Outlook
- Veteran perspective: Lean toward Lewis’s power and experience in tight situations.
- Upset watch: Teixeira’s momentum and physical tools could surprise the division.
- Fan sentiment: divided—some think Teixeira will be a star in the future, while others trust Lewis’s proven record.
Final Thoughts and Prediction
FightSwing Summary:
- Possible Finish: Teixeira wins by KO in the first or second round
- What Happens If It Goes Longer: Lewis finds power landing in the middle to late rounds
- Outcome: Leaning toward Teixeira by KO in Round 1, but Lewis could pull off a surprise win late.
The End
UFC ESPN 70: Lewis vs. Teixeira is more than just a big main event; it’s a story about experience vs. hype, power vs. potential. Lewis, who is 40 years old, has a history of making knockouts that are raw and quick, while Teixeira, who is 25 years old, has a history of making knockouts that are quick and raw. The fight’s outcome could change the course of both fighters’ careers: Lewis could make a comeback and become a star, or Teixeira could become a star and fight for a spot in the top 10.
Fans who watch Bridgestone Arena and UFC ESPN 70+ on July 12, 2025 should expect fireworks in the first few rounds, but don’t count out the drama if it goes on for a while. No matter what happens, this fight will have moments that will be talked about for years to come and will make a difference in the division.
