Two-time UFC heavyweight championship challenger Derrick Lewis will probably be seeking to re-enter the title image when he takes on undefeated rising contender Tallison Teixeira in the principle occasion of Saturday’s UFC Struggle Evening from Bridgestone Enviornment in Nashville, Tennessee (9 p.m. ET, prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN+).
Lewis, who fought for an undisputed title at UFC 230 in November 2018 and an interim title at UFC 265 in August 2021, is making his first Octagon look of 2025. He beat Rodrigo Nascimento by third-round knockout in Might 2024. Teixeira enters the battle following a first-round knockout of Justin Tafa at UFC 312 in February.
MMA analysts and former UFC fighters Anthony Smith and Din Thomas make their principal occasion predictions. ESPN betting skilled Ian Parker provides perception and evaluation on the cardboard’s most intriguing bets.
Heavyweight principal occasion
Lewis’ expertise is massive in a battle like this. It has been a minute since he fought, however I feel he fights higher when he is in a position to take a while to consider how massive these fights are. — Din Thomas
Tallison is a stud, however he is not supremely examined. Tallison is tall, however Lewis has a bizarre capability to search out the chin of those younger, tall guys. Tallison might be going to need to wrestle, however I really feel like Derrick is definitely actually good at this anti-wrestling factor. — Anthony Smith
Betting evaluation
Odds correct as of July 10. For probably the most up-to-date odds, go to ESPN BET.
Parker: Tallison to win (+225). Lewis, a fan favourite, is coming off a win final spring however has fairly the powerful problem in entrance of him within the 25-year-old Teixeira. Lewis has greater than 10 years of UFC expertise and lots of multi-round bouts on his aspect, whereas Teixeira hasn’t seen the second spherical in his eight-fight skilled profession. Will that matter? Up to now, Lewis has packed it in and brought losses when he hasn’t been in a position to tire out opponents rapidly, and sadly for him, I see him on the unsuitable aspect of a knockout punch on this one. Teixeira is an thrilling prospect and probably a future UFC heavyweight contender. Both take his moneyline in your parlay or take him to win inside the gap.
Parker’s greatest bets on the remainder of the cardboard
Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs. Gabriel Bonfim
Bonfim to win inside the gap. After consecutive losses by end in December 2023 and October 2024, Thompson takes on one other up-and-coming finisher in Bonfim. On the toes, Thompson’s distance placing and lateral motion will assist him keep away from the ability of Bonfim, however for the way lengthy? In some unspecified time in the future, Bonfim will get Thompson to the bottom and implement his world-class jiu-jitsu. “Wonderboy,” a 13-year UFC veteran with losses in 4 of his previous 5 fights, deserves credit score for taking this battle at this level in his profession, however Bonfim is a nasty matchup for him. I anticipate Bonfim to shine brightly.
Featherweight: Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia
Garcia to win (-125). Garcia, driving a streak of 5 straight wins by end, will probably be trying so as to add Kattar to his résumé. Garcia is a tricky out for anybody due to his knockout energy and sturdiness to match. He can also use his underrated floor recreation if wanted. Kattar is an efficient fighter, however he has misplaced 4 in a row. Except he can tire out Garcia with a wrestling recreation that he not often makes use of, I do not see a path to victory for Kattar. Search for Garcia to proceed his spectacular run.
Mild heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs Tuco Tokkos
Tafa to win (-175). Plain and easy: If Tokkos can’t take down Tafa and maintain him down for quarter-hour, Tokkos will get knocked out. Tokkos has misplaced his previous two fights, and although Tafa is new to the sunshine heavyweight division, he has knockout energy that lasts a complete battle. Anticipate Tafa to return out of the gate in search of the end, and I feel he’ll get it.