As UFC Nashville approaches, a significant spotlight falls upon Tallison Teixeira, a rapidly ascending figure in the heavyweight division. Scheduled to headline the event against veteran knockout artist Derrick Lewis, Teixeira is not just focused on his immediate challenge; he has already set his sights firmly on the divisional summit, currently occupied by Tom Aspinall. In a candid assessment, Teixeira has outlined a clear path to the championship, accompanied by a strong conviction about the limited pool of contenders truly capable of dethroning the reigning champion.
Teixeira, known as `Xicao`, made an emphatic statement in his UFC debut with a swift 35-second knockout. This impressive start has fueled his confidence heading into the main event. Speaking ahead of the Lewis bout, Teixeira articulated his strategic timeline. A victory over the formidable Lewis, he believes, is the essential next step. Following this, he anticipates needing perhaps one more significant win against a top-ranked opponent, mentioning names such as Sergei Pavlovich or Curtis Blaydes. This sequence, Teixeira estimates, should position him for a championship opportunity sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.
But Teixeira`s commentary extends beyond his own trajectory. He offered a direct evaluation of the current title holder, Tom Aspinall, and the field of potential challengers. With striking certainty, Teixeira posited that only two individuals possess the tools necessary to hand Aspinall his first loss as champion: himself, or his fellow Brazilian contender, Jailton Almeida, nicknamed `Malhadinho`. Notably, Teixeira explicitly dismissed other highly-regarded heavyweights from this exclusive list, including Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich, suggesting they lack the specific attributes required to overcome Aspinall`s skillset. For Teixeira, the potential outcome is straightforward: the heavyweight belt will ultimately reside in Brazil, secured either by Almeida or, failing that, by Teixeira himself.
Interestingly, the other fighter deemed by Teixeira as Aspinall`s only true threat, Jailton Almeida, appears to be on a slightly different immediate path. While Almeida was vocal in calling for a shot at Aspinall after the championship picture clarified, recent developments suggest his next challenge may come against Alexander Volkov. Almeida himself alluded to ongoing discussions for a potential matchup against Volkov, possibly later this year. This potential booking indicates that should Almeida overcome Volkov, he would still be positioned as a prime contender, but it might clear the immediate path for others – such as Ciryl Gane, who Teixeira explicitly doubted – to potentially challenge Aspinall first.
Teixeira`s assertive declaration injects further intrigue into the heavyweight division`s evolving landscape. While the immediate focus remains on his high-stakes encounter with Derrick Lewis in Nashville, his long-term vision is clearly fixed on championship gold and a rivalry, perhaps even a friendly one, with Jailton Almeida for Brazilian supremacy at the top. The path to the title is competitive, but Teixeira has confidently drawn his line in the sand, naming the few he believes can truly stand against the current king, Tom Aspinall.
Gareth Pendleton