Tarison Teisheyla never dreamed of being in this position early in his career, and found UFC Nashville this Saturday against knockout artist Derrick Lewis in Nashville, which could change his life forever.
The 25-year-old undefeated prospect has done a short job with Justintafa in his UFC debut this February, scoring a vicious 35-second knockout on enemy territory in UFC 312, and now has Lewis as his next mission. Faced with such a veteran in his second UFC appearance, he shows that “the organization has a lot of faith in me.”
“I was already thinking about the possibility of fighting the top five as soon as possible, just in case I did perform similarly,” Teisheira told MMA Fighting. “Now, defeating Derrick, next is Sergei (Pavlovich) or Curtis Braides, that’s the name. I really wanted Maasin Taibera, but he had already booked the fight.
“To be honest, I think it’s an easy fight,” he then asked why Tybura. “I think Derrick Lewis is one of the most dangerous people in the top 10 due to his knockout power. That’s ridiculous. Tibra is the easiest. It’s good to make money.
“I’m early in my career. I was talking to my manager. If you’re defeating the toughest things right now, if you get more rewards, then no one will lose (lol).”
Teixeira has never passed his first round since October 2021 as a professional round, an impressive run with eight finishes. The UFC trade involved Arthur Lopez’s two-minute destruction. Dana WhiteCandidate Series for In September 2024, Tafa’s beatdown was next.
“This fight (with Lewis) is a good opportunity and I think it’s a good matchup,” Teisheira said. “He’s like a brawl and I’m also the type of guy who doesn’t miss an opportunity. I work with the hands and I have good jiu-jitsu, good takedowns, so it’s a good matchup stylistically for me.
“I don’t expect easy fights and everything, but I think I always get knockouts and submissions. “Damn, this goes to the decision. I always give it everything, do you know? And I know I have a great knockout power in my hands.
Tom Aspinall has finally been named the indisputable UFC heavyweight champion, and Jon Jones has announced his retirement from the sport. This means that you need to place the belt on the line after a long wait. With that in mind, the electric finish forecasts are moving ahead and we are seeing the success of the championship in 2026.
“Now, John Jones has retired and the division is finally rolling, so I hope to compete for the belt by the end of next year,” Teisheira said. “Fight Derrick now. I hope to fight again this year. I will fight for the belt next year. I want to make history with this organization. Do you know?
“I think the only one I can stop right now is ‘Malhadinho’,” Teisheira said. “I don’t see (Cyril) Gain being on him. I don’t think Sergei will win either. So I think the most likely chance of winning is Marhadinho.
Teixeira was a 10-year-old when “The Black Beast” first entered the MMA cage in 2010. For Brazilians, it is a battle of youth and experience, and the rise of invincibility against the stumbling heavyweights does not cause any factor when it’s time to trade punches in the octagon.
“To be honest with you, I don’t think any of us have this pressure,” Teisheira said. “Man, he’s standing in an octagon on his underwear. I don’t think he cares much about this lol. And myself, it’s the main event and despite it being very important, my head really works well with it.
“It’s another fight. It has to go by to get where I want. Before I go out, I think it’s just another Saturday and there’s a new heavyweight in the gym. And we have to look at the sputter.