Breakdown of All UFC Nashville Fight Night Submissions and Knockouts

By Ali Hammad July 16, 2025 09:02

UFC Fight Night in Nashville on July 12, 2025, delivered a night filled with high drama and explosive finishes, particularly highlighted by several spectacular knockouts and submissions. With multiple fighters showcasing their finishing skills, the event was a testament to the evolution and depth of talent in the UFC. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of all the submissions and knockouts that defined the night, along with key insights from fighters and analysts.

The headline-grabbing performance came from heavyweight veteran Derrick Lewis, who knocked out undefeated prospect Tallison Teixeira in just 35 seconds. Lewis unleashed a devastating left hook early, flooring Teixeira and following up with a barrage of punches to secure a swift TKO. This rapid finish extended Lewis’s legacy as the UFC’s all-time knockout leader. Post-fight, Lewis’s exuberance was on full display, as he famously ripped off his shorts and moonwalked for the crowd, capturing the night’s wild energy. Dana White praised Lewis’s preparation and heart, emphasizing the fight’s impact on the UFC heavyweight landscape.

Submissions were equally impressive at UFC Nashville. Vitor Petrino earned a notable rear-naked choke submission over Austen Lane, finishing the fight at 4:16 of Round 1. Petrino’s grappling dominance marked a comeback after previous setbacks in his light heavyweight run, signaling his promising transition to heavyweight. “This submission shows my growth as a fighter,” Petrino said, highlighting the importance of evolution in MMA.

In the light heavyweight division, Tuco Tokkos salvaged a crucial win with a head-and-arm choke against Junior Tafa in the second round (4:25). The victory was a pivotal moment for Tokkos, who fought through adversity to tap into his grappling arsenal and calm the momentum against an aggressive striker.

Featherweight prospect Jake Matthews impressed fans with a swift rear-naked choke submission over Chidi Njokuani at 1:09 of the first round, underscoring Matthews’s grappling prowess. His ability to impose his will early disrupted Njokuani’s typically versatile striking game and demonstrated Matthews’s well-rounded skill set.

Perhaps the fastest submission of the night came from rising star Valter Walker, who secured an inverted heel hook on Kennedy Nzechukwu just 54 seconds into the fight. The technical precision of Walker’s leg attack thrilled fans and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. Walker credited relentless drilling of leg locks in training camps, noting, “Leg locks are becoming essential in modern MMA, and tonight it paid off.”

Knockouts beyond Lewis’s spectacular finish included featherweight slugger Morgan Charrière, who delivered a decisive KO over Nate Landwehr at 27 seconds of Round 3, earning Fight of the Night honors for their intense, back-and-forth battle. Charrière’s volumes and relentless pressure gradually broke Landwehr down before the final hammer.

At lightweight, Mike Davis scored a second-round TKO via flying knee and punches against Mitch Ramirez, showcasing athleticism and creativity in his striking arsenal. Meanwhile, strawweight standout Fatima Kline finished Melissa Martinez in Round 3 after a perfectly timed head kick paired with strikes, clinching a Performance of the Night bonus for her clinical stoppage.

These finishes highlight the diverse ways fighters are closing the distance in today’s UFC from precision striking to aggressive grappling submissions. Analyst Daniel Cormier remarked, “Tonight’s event showed the evolution of fighters who are capable of finishing fights anywhere on their feet or on the ground. It’s the beauty of MMA’s dynamic nature.”

In summary, UFC Nashville 2025 was a showcase of knockout power and submission savvy. Derrick Lewis’s fast TKO, combined with multiple slick submission victories from Petrino, Tokkos, Matthews, and Walker, illustrated a vibrant mix of technique and aggression. These finishes not only thrilled fans but also promise exciting trajectories for these fighters heading into the second half of the UFC calendar.