UFC Nashville: Derrick Lewis v Tallison Teixeira Picks and Preview
Will we finally have a new Heavyweight prospect?
PRELIMS:
Fatima Kline(7-1) v Melissa Martinez(8-1)
A couple of strawweights here as Fatima Kline looks to continue to impress in her natural weight class as she takes on Melissa Martinez. I’m a fan of Kline and think she has the potential to be a contender, especially at 115, as that is her natural weight. Martinez had a solid amount of KO wins before the UFC, which she hasn’t shown in her recent fights, but she might give Kline a challenge on the feet. I’ve got Kline in this one.
Prediction: Kline by DEC
Mike Davis(11-3) v Mitch Ramirez(8-2)
No, this is not a prank. Mike Davis is fighting for the second time within a year as he takes on Mitch Ramirez at lightweight. It almost doesn’t feel real seeing Davis fight more than once every couple of years, but we are blessed to see him for the second time this year, and he’ll look to get back into the win column here. Ramirez hasn’t shown that he can hang in the UFC yet, so I don’t think he does well in this one. I think Davis will be getting his hand raised.
Prediction: Davis by KO R3
Kennedy Nzechukwu(14-5) v Valter Walker(13-1)
We go to Heavyweight next as Kennedy Nzechukwu and Valter Walker look to extend their win streaks as they face off. Nzechukwu is someone I've gone on quite a journey with while watching his time in the UFC. At one point, I didn’t think he was good, then he turned it around, only to then worry me a couple fights ago, but he’s won his last two, so let’s hope he’s back to his best because he is actually quite fun when he’s on it. Walker has two back-to-back heel hooks and is dangerous if the fight hits the floor. I think in a logical world, Nzechukwu should win comfortably, but I do worry that Walker finds a way to get a submission.
Prediction: Nzechukwu by KO R2
Lauren Murphy(16-6) v Eduarda Moura(11-1)
Some women’s flyweights here, as Lauren Murphy returns after over two years off to face Eduarda Moura. I thought Murphy had retired, but I guess she hasn’t and will be fighting here. At one point, she was alright and fought for the title, but I don’t know how much the ring rust will affect her. Moura is a fine fighter who’s had some decent wins in the UFC. I think Moura should win this as Murphy is 41 years old and coming in after over two years off, but who knows.
Prediction: Moura by DEC
Jake Matthews(21-7) v Chidi Njokuani(25-10)
Cool matchup here as Jake Matthews and Chidi Njokuani meet at welterweight as both look to continue their win streaks. Matthews is on a decent run currently, and at only 30 years old, it’s crazy how long he has been around. Njokuani has some great striking and is in good form, which is always good for the fans. This feels like the type of fight that the crowd will enjoy, as both guys will want to impress. I think Njokuani wins, but Matthews is a strong enough fighter to surprise Njokuani.
Prediction: Njokuani by DEC
Chris Curtis(31-12) v Max Griffin(20-11)
Closing off the prelims here as Chris Curtis looks to fight his way back into the rankings as he takes on a respectable name in Max Griffin at welterweight. Curtis has lost his last two and will be looking to get back to winning ways here in a very winnable fight for him. Griffin is an overall good fighter who will be a challenge for most, but hasn’t shown that he can beat the better fighters in the division, so I don’t think this fight will go well for him. I think Curtis, even on a little slump, is a better fighter than Griffin, so I’ve got Curtis in this one.
Prediction: Curtis by DEC
MAIN CARD:
Junior Tafa(6-3) v Tuco Tokkos(10-5)
Some more big boys on the card here, as Junior Tafa decides to be serious and drop down to light heavyweight as he takes on Tuco Tokkos. When he first signed with the UFC, I had high hopes for Tafa, as he seemed like he could be fast and powerful, but I thought he should’ve been at 205 in the UFC. Tokkos isn’t great and not really UFC-ready, but he is fighting a Tafa brother, so there’s a chance Tafa just gets annoyed and stops trying. I do think if Tafa has taken it seriously, he will be good at 205, so I see him winning.
Prediction: Tafa by KO R2
Vitor Petrino(11-2) v Austen Lane(13-6)
Now we go up a division for a Light-Heavyweight making his Heavyweight debut as Vitor Petrino takes on Austen Lane. Petrino is going up a division, which is an interesting choice as he’s athletic, which is useful against most heavyweights, but I don’t know how he will handle the power the fighters have at heavyweight. Lane has actually shown signs of improvement overall in his MMA game, but he does tend to get cartoonishly knocked out, so I feel that may happen here. This will be interesting to see if Petrino can handle being up a division and if his power can be impactful, and I see Petrino winning this.
Prediction: Petrino by KO R2
Nate Landwehr(18-6) v Morgan Charrière(20-11-1)
An absolute banger of a matchup here as Nate Landwehr and Morgan Charrière meet to throw down at featherweight. Landwehr is a fun watch as his style is just ruthless, and he doesn’t stop, which is great in front of a crowd. He lost last time out and will be looking to get back to winning ways in his neck of the woods. Charrière is another fun one to watch and has done alright since joining the UFC. Just like Landwehr, he lost his last one, so he will also be looking to get a win and shock Landwehr in his home state. I love this matchup, and I think Charrière will shock Landwehr here, but you can never fully count Landwehr out.
Prediction: Charrière by DEC
Calvin Kattar(23-9) v Steve Garcia(17-5)
Bit of an old guard v new guard matchup here as Calvin Kattar looks to return to winning ways after a 4-fight skid as he meets Steve Garcia who’s on a 5-fight win streak. Kattar was once a very good fighter whose striking was great to watch, but as he’s gotten older, he just hasn’t been able to compete with the new talent in a strong division like featherweight. Garcia is looking unstoppable currently with not only a five-fight win streak, but they have all ended in knockouts. I feel this is set up for Garcia to get a ranked win on his record and I think he does get it but I think Kattar puts up a good test while he can.
Prediction: Garcia by KO R3
Stephen Thompson(17-8-1) v Gabriel Bonfim(17-1)
Co-main time as Stephen Wonderboy Thompson looks to defend his ranking as he takes on some new blood in Gabriel Bonfim. We all know how good Thompson is on the feet, and even at 42 years old is still at a pretty high level in a fairly competitive division. He comes in on a two-fight skid, but you can never count out Wonderboy. Bonfim is very strong on the ground with 13 submissions in his 17 wins. He’s shown some good stuff in his fights so far in the UFC and rebounded well after suffering a loss to Nicolas Dalby early in his UFC run. I think Bonfim, being the younger and hungrier guy, will be able to get Thompson to the ground and get the sub.
Prediction: Bonfim by SUB R2
Derrick Lewis(28-12) v Tallison Teixeira(8-0)
Main event time at Heavyweight as the age-old question is asked, will the new up-and-coming heavyweight prospect in Tallison Teixeira be able to beat the tried and tested vet in Derrick Lewis? We all know what Lewis is nowadays, which is a very heavy hitter who is always a threat with his power, but if you are athletic and at all skilled, you can probably beat him. Luckily for Lewis, most heavyweights aren’t, which is why he’s been able to be around for as long as he has. Teixeira is interesting to me. He is a 6’7 25-year-old undefeated heavyweight prospect with an 83” reach, which is exciting to look at, and all of his fights have ended in the first round with seven KOs in his eight wins. I do worry that you see the classic thing of the young fighter who finishes most fights early doesn’t get the early finish and gasses, but I do think Teixeira will be able to beat Lewis and probably get a finish early-ish in the fight.
Prediction: Teixeira by KO R2