After a week away for a holiday break, the top MMA promotion in the world is back with UFC Nashville this Saturday night. The card takes place at Music City's Bridgestone Arena and features several long-time Octagon stars.
In the headliner, fan-favorite Derrick Lewis returns to action for the first time in over a year when he takes on Brazilian slugger Tallison Teixeira. In the co-main event, welterweight great Stephen Thompson battles 15-years-younger prospect Gabriel Bonfim.
Ahead of tonight's main card — which kicks off at 9 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN+ — we make some bold predictions for the top matchups at UFC Nashville.
Related: UFC tonight – Get a look at the complete UFC Nashville card and the upcoming UFC schedule
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Derrick Lewis will go down as one of the most beloved and dangerous heavyweights in UFC history. Yet, since 2021, he has been very inconsistent as he's lost five of his last nine. Furthermore, he has had to pull out of a couple of fights with health issues. And he already has a history of back problems. At 40, he is still in prime years for a heavyweight, but it also feels like "Black Beast's" best days are behind him.
On Saturday night, Lewis will have a huge experience advantage over the 8-0 Teixeira. But the rising prospect has a rare height and reach advantage over him. Plus, he is young, fast, and powerful. Five years ago, the American crushes "Xicão." But in 2025, this feels like a tough matchup for the aging veteran.
Prediction: Teixeira by TKO, Round 2
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Thompson is a future Hall of Famer. While he never won UFC gold, he was in many fun fights and was a tough puzzle to solve in his prime. But at 42 years old and coming off two knockout losses, he really should be retired. But in classic UFC style, the company is using his name value to try and build a new star in Bonfim.
The Brazilian is 15 years younger and brings an outstanding ground game. If this were eight years ago, Thompson keeps the distance, stuffs the takedowns, and picks Bonfim apart. However, he has slowed down more than enough to get grounded by his foe and forced to tap on Saturday.
Prediction: Bonfim by submission, Round 1
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UFC Nashville has a very obvious theme throughout. Veteran Octagon stars being put in matches against young, dangerous fighters with something to prove. Calvin Kattar's clash with Steve Garcia is another example of that. "The Boston Finisher" has been a top 15 mainstay for much of the last five years. But Father Time has caught up with the featherweight.
He has lost four straight and four of his last five. However, much of it has come to a high level of competition. While Garcia is not a former champion or title challenger, he is a dangerous knockout puncher. Things could easily go bad for Kattar on Saturday. But, expect him to fight cautiously and outpoint Garcia.
Prediction: Kattar by unanimous decision
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Nate Landweher vs. Morgan Charriere has Fight of the Night potential. Both are more than willing to stand up and go to war. Especially the American. The Frenchman is a bit more polished than his foe, and his youth is a key bonus because he will be the faster fighter. Look for him to use that advantage and score a late finish.
Prediction:Charriere by TKO, Round 3
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Another fight that is set up not to go the distance is the light heavyweight clash between Vitor Petrino and Austen Lane. The pair has 18 knockouts in their 24 combined wins, and they have not fared well in the Octagon in their recent outings. Both could very well be fighting for their jobs at UFC Nashville. Hopefully, that does not lead to an overly cautious approach by each man. If they fight like they usually do, expect fireworks and a knockout finish.
Prediction: Petrino by KO, Round 1
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Junior Tafa and Tuco Tokkos are not going to be fighting for heavyweight gold one day. But most fighters on the UFC roster won't. These two big men are in the company to put on a show and try to take their opponents' heads off. Tafa and Tokkos will both look to meet that standard, and the fight is one of the biggest pick 'ems on the card. Considering their recent history, Tafa should be able to be the last man standing.
Prediction: Tafa by TKO, Round 2
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