Tallison Teixeira Thinks He Could Be Two More Fights Away from Title Shot

Brazilian heavyweight Tallison Teixeira is the betting favorite heading into his UFC Nashville main event assignment with Derrick Lewis this Saturday.

Teixeira has never left the first round, and he doesn’t plan on that changing this weekend either.

“That’s the intention, to knock (him) out and get another bonus,” Teixeira (8-0) told media in attendance during Wednesday’s UFC Nashville media day. Asked whether that knockout would come in the opening round, “always in the first round,” he added.

Which would mean everyone goes home early. “Listen it’s rest. Get the knockout and everybody goes home and rests,” Teixeira replied.

Lewis has been out of action for a year now, after a fight at UFC Edmonton last fall fell through last minute. That might play into Tallison Teixeira’s hands, but he’s not thinking that way.

“I try not to think that. It’s a guy who’s very experienced, has got more than 40 fights in the UFC,” stated Teixeira. Lewis actually has 29 fights in the UFC, but over 40 in his career. “When he got to the UFC I was 12 years old. So I try not to think that. I think about my physical attributes and what I can bring.”

Teixeira believes Jailton Almeida, a fellow Brazilian heavyweight, deserves the next title shot now that Tom Aspinall is undisputed champion in the wake of Jon Jones’ retirement. As for his own title hopes, the 25-year old added that “I try to take fights one at a time, but I think that going through this fight, I think two more I could be looking for a title.”

Watch the full UFC Nashville media day appearance by Tallison Teixeira above.