UFC Nashville ended in some controversy.
Derrick Lewis quickly ended Tallison Teixeira’s undefeated streak. It certainly was no easy feat as Teixeira nailed a hard strike early that had Lewis on the defense, but that didn’t last for long. The 40-year-old took over the fight thanks to a left handed jab and a couple of follow-up punches.
The controversy comes with many feeling that the referee ended the fight too quickly as Teixeira wasn’t down when the ref called off the fight. Even Dana White felt that the stoppage was a bit fast, but there’s nothing he can do about it.
"We kind of figured that fight would go like that," White said at the UFC on ESPN 70 post-fight press conference. "I mean, the line on that thing was over/under five minutes, so yeah, it delivered. It was what we expected. It was what everyone expected. Nobody expected a five-round fight."
"The fight can turn in one punch," White said. "Whoever lands that big shot – and they were both trying to land them – but (Lewis) got him. I thought the stoppage was a little fast, but it is what it is."
Lewis is now on a two fight winning streak. His record is 29 wins and 12 losses. Teixeira falls down to 8 wins and 1 loss.
The controversy didn’t end there.
Gabriel Bonfim got a split decision win over Stephen Thompson in the co-main event. Bonfim got the better of “Wonderboy” with takedowns and control against the cage. Thompson was able to keep him at bay with kicks and strikes that kept Bonfim in check. Many had Thompson pegged for the win, but Dana White says it all the time: don't leave it up to the judges. This loss put Thompson on a three-fight skid, whereas Bonfim’s biggest win of his career now sees him on a three fight winning streak.
Check out the full results below:
Main Card
Derrick Lewis def. Tallison Teixeira via TKO (punches) at :35 of R1
Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr via TKO (punches) at :27 of R3
Vitor Petrino def. Austen Lane via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:16 of R1
Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa via submission (head-arm choke) at 4:25 of R2
Preliminary Card
Chris Curtis def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Jake Matthews def. Chidi Njokuani via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of R1
Eduarda Moura def. Lauren Murphy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu via submission (inverted heel hook) at :54 of R1
Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez via TKO (flying knee and punches) at 4:08 of R2