Report: Lewis-Teixeira to headline UFC Nashville in July

Former heavyweight title challenger Derrick Lewis will take on Tallison Teixeira in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on July 12, sources told MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz and Mike Heck.

Lewis is returning to the Octagon for the first time since earning a third-round TKO of Rodrigo Nascimento at UFC St. Louis in May 2024. The No. 9-ranked heavyweight is 2-1 in his last three appearances.

Lewis was scheduled to face Jhonata Diniz at UFC Edmonton last November, but he withdrew on weigh-in day due to a medical issue.

Teixeira will headline a UFC event in just his second outing with the promotion. The 25-year-old Brazilian finished Justin Tafa by 35-second TKO at UFC 312 in February. Teixeira is undefeated as a professional, boasting an 8-0 record.

The event will mark the UFC's first in Nashville since August 2023 and seventh overall.