Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis added another victory to his formidable record at UFC Nashville, securing a TKO over Tallison Teixeira in the main event. However, the win, achieved in a mere 35 seconds, immediately ignited debate due to the abrupt nature of the referee`s stoppage, leaving many questioning if the fight was ended prematurely.
The bout began with expected intensity. Lewis appeared briefly troubled in the opening seconds, potentially reacting to an early strike or an accidental foul that went uncalled. True to form, he quickly retaliated, unleashing his characteristic powerful punches. This aggressive output paid dividends, visibly staggering Teixeira. As Teixeira attempted to regain his equilibrium and position, he instinctively and quite clearly grabbed the fence with both hands in an attempt to stay upright.
It was precisely at this moment, with Teixeira holding the cage, that referee Jason Herzog stepped in and waved off the fight. The decision was swift and, to many observers, unexpected given that Teixeira, while compromised and fouling, had not yet been knocked down and was actively trying to defend himself, albeit illegally.
The immediate reaction from professional fighters and analysts watching was one of surprise and disagreement. Social media platforms quickly filled with comments suggesting the stoppage was ill-timed, particularly given it occurred right as Teixeira committed a foul rather than after a definitive sequence of unanswered strikes or a knockdown. The sentiment was that it felt like a “horrible time” to stop a fight, cutting short Teixeira`s opportunity to either recover or be decisively finished without the referee`s intervention.
Teixeira`s fence grab was a clear violation of the Unified Rules, a foul typically addressed with a warning, a point deduction, or potentially a pause in the action to reset, depending on its impact. The decision to stop the fight immediately following the foul, rather than penalizing the foul itself and then assessing Teixeira`s ability to continue, became the central point of contention. Referees face the difficult task of balancing fighter safety with allowing athletes the chance to compete and potentially recover, and this instance highlighted just how fine that line can be.
Despite the controversy surrounding the finish, the official result stands as a TKO victory for Derrick Lewis. This outcome further solidifies Lewis`s status as one of the most dangerous knockout artists in UFC history and adds another notch to his impressive record of finishes. Yet, the manner in which the fight concluded ensures this particular win will be discussed not just for Lewis`s power, but for the debate it sparked about officiating and fight endings in mixed martial arts.
