Derrick Lewis delivered another devastating performance Saturday night, knocking out undefeated Tallison Teixeira in just 35 seconds at a sold-out UFC event that drew 17,007 fans and a gate of $2.2 million.
Lewis, the UFC’s No. 9 ranked heavyweight contender, responded to an early thumb to the eye with a flurry of strikes, dropping Teixeira with a clean left hand before finishing the fight on the ground. The referee stepped in to stop the bout, awarding Lewis the win by TKO.
With the victory, Lewis extended his record for the most knockouts in UFC history and secured the third most finishes in the organization’s history.
“They've been talking (bad) all week. I knew I had him hurt,” Lewis said. “He's been fighting tomato cans his whole career. I appreciate UFC to help your boy out. I need more of those taxi cab drivers they've got in Brazil for my next fight. I know those boys are trying to ride the limo, but they aren't going to get in on me.”
In the co-main event, No. 12 welterweight contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson battled Gabriel Bonfim to a close decision. Thompson utilized his signature kicks to avoid early takedowns, but Bonfim’s persistence paid off with control and pressure in the later rounds. Bonfim earned the win via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
“Stephen Thompson is the most experienced guy in the division, a tough guy, he's amazing,” Bonfim said. “I felt that I did all the work necessary for the strategy to happen. We put the strategy on and we got the win. And for the next step, let me tell you, I'm going to go back out there and I'm going to evolve.”
Fight Night Bonuses
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Fight of the Night: Morgan Charriere vs. Nate Landwehr
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Performance of the Night: Valter Walker
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Performance of the Night: Fatima Kline
Official Results
Main Event
Derrick Lewis def. Tallison Teixeira via TKO (strikes), Round 1, 0:35
Co-Main Event
Gabriel Bonfim def. Stephen Thompson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Main Card
Steve Garcia def. Calvin Kattar via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Morgan Charriere def. Nate Landwehr via KO (strikes), Round 3, 0:27
Vitor Petrino def. Austen Lane via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:16
Tuco Tokkos def. Junior Tafa via submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 4:25
Prelims
Chris Curtis def. Max Griffin via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Jake Matthews def. Chidi Njokuani via submission (short choke), Round 1, 1:09
Eduarda Moura def. Lauren Murphy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Valter Walker def. Kennedy Nzechukwu via submission (heel hook), Round 1, 0:54
Mike Davis def. Mitch Ramirez via TKO (strikes), Round 2, 4:08
Fatima Kline def. Melissa Martinez via TKO (head kick and punches), Round 3, 2:36
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