‘Horrible time to stop a fight’: Pros react to Derrick Lewis’ controversial knockout win at UFC Nashville
Derrick Lewis is the king of the knockouts. But he may have had some help with this one.
Officially, the UFC Nashville main event ended with Lewis scoring a TKO of Tallison Teixeira just 35 seconds into the opening round. Lewis appeared to be shook early, either by a Teixeira strike or an accidental eye poke, but there was no pause in the action so Lewis just started firing punches wildly in response.
As he recovered, Lewis’ trademark swangin’ and bangin’ style started to pay dividends and soon it was Teixeira who was reeling. A hard punch rocked the towering Brazilian and Lewis followed with more power punches as Teixeira scrambled to defend himself. Teixeira blatantly grabbed the fance with both hands to get back to his feet and before he could maneuver away from Lewis any further, referee Jason Herzog waved off the bout.
Fighters on social media weren’t sure what to make of Herzog’s call, with Alan Jouban writing on Twitter, “Horrible time to stop a fight!”
Regardless, Lewis extended his UFC knockout record to 16 and is now tied with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone for the third-most stoppages in UFC history, trailing only Jim Miller (17) and Charles Oliveira (20).
See more fighter reactions from social media below.
Horrible time to stop a fight! #UFCNashvile
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 13, 2025
OG ain’t losing tonight!!!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 13, 2025
Derrick Lewis is a beast and his post fight speeches are thee best. #UFCNashville
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) July 13, 2025
Derrick Lewis just Derrick Lewis-Ed
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 13, 2025
Dereck Lewis is probably my favourite fighter in ufc #UFCNashvile
— Themba Gorimbo (@TheAnswerMMA) July 13, 2025
Derrick Lewis aura farming after the big win #UFCNashvile
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) July 13, 2025
Black beast still got it!!
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 13, 2025
Can a lighter derrick Lewis defend aspinals takedowns
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 13, 2025
Bad stoppage ♂️ #UFCNashvile
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 13, 2025
I actually like the stoppage, if you have to foul to keep the fight going then it should be over. Literally any other result is rewarding grabbing the cage. #UFCNashville
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) July 13, 2025
D LEW !!
— Charles "InnerG" Johnson (@innerGmma_ufc) July 13, 2025
Gawdam Legend #koking #ufc
Vendo replay dá pra ver que a interrupção foi muito precoce, meu Deus do céu.
— Mairon "The Legend" Santos (@Maironsantoss) July 13, 2025
Somos lutadores, deixa a gente lutar mano
Derrick!!
— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) July 13, 2025