news 
What We Saw, Heard, And Felt At UFC Nashville
UFC Nashville delivered knockouts, chaos, controversy, and a crowd that reminded us why stateside UFC Fight Nights are good for the sport. From the early preliminaries to Derrick Lewis’ main event moment, the card was a snapshot of what makes Fight Nights on U.S. soil arguably the purest presentation of MMA.
I had the chance to witness this action-packed night firsthand and take in the electric atmosphere within Bridgestone Arena, where the city should be on the UFC’s radar to visit twice a year, and the top non-titleholding American fighters should be featured prominently in main events.
What We Saw: A Night to Remember
The event saw several incredible moments that left fans on the edge of their seats. The main event saw Derrick Lewis extend his own record for KOs in the UFC with a first-round finish of Tallison Teixeira, which was not without controversy (more on that later). His power is undeniable, and due to it, he has a chance against any opponent.
Other notable bouts included Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson suffer one of the most gruesome injuries I’ve seen during his co-main event clash with Gabriel Bonfim. The 43-year-old veteran fought on, despite a lacerated leg that would make anyone wince in pain.
Furthermore, Nate Landwehr is a walking Fight of the Night bonus and can pull anyone into his world. He did so on Saturday night as Morgan Charriere proved to be too athletic and explosive for him.
Other fights showcased incredible finishes, including Valter Walker’s third-round heel hook win over Kennedy Nzechukwu, which marked his latest victory in a row by this submission method.
What We Heard: The Crowd’s Energy
The crowd inside Bridgestone Arena was electric, and I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before. It was as if the city should be on the UFC’s radar to visit twice a year, with the top non-titleholding American fighters featured prominently in main events.
UFC President Dana White expressed sentiments that echoed this sentiment during his post-fight interview. “It was a little fast,” he said about Lewis’ TKO victory over Teixeira. The crowd also got hyped as Fatima Kline took down Melissa Martinez via head kick and punches, winning Performance of the Night.
What We Felt: Controversy and Debate
While we saw some incredible moments in the Octagon, controversy emerged surrounding Derrick Lewis’ main event finish against Tallison Teixeira. Many, including myself, believe referee Jason Herzog stopped the fight prematurely as Teixeira was hurt but appeared to get back to his feet quickly.
UFC President Dana White also expressed sentiments that echoed this sentiment during his post-fight interview: “It was a little fast.” This controversy overshadowed some of the incredible action we saw throughout the night.
In conclusion, UFC Nashville provided an unforgettable experience for all those in attendance and on screens around the world.
Source: www.forbes.com
