Tallison Teixeira Eyes Tom Aspinall’s Heavyweight Title – Names Only Man Who Can Stop the Champ

UFC Fight Night in Nashville on Saturday will showcase Tallison Teixeira aiming to advance his claim for the Tom Aspinall heavyweight title challenge. The rising Brazilian contender, making just his second UFC appearance since earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, faces Derrick Lewis in the event’s main bout with hopes of launching a swift ascent toward the championship.

Teixeira, nicknamed ‘Xicao,’ rapidly gained attention with a commanding 35-second knockout win over Justin Tafa during his UFC debut. At 25 years old, this upcoming fight offers him a critical opportunity to cement himself as a serious threat in the heavyweight division by overcoming a veteran knockout leader like Lewis.

Path to the Title: Teixeira’s Plan and Potential Rivals

Before eyeing the belt, Teixeira has outlined a path that includes major wins over contenders such as Curtis Blaydes or Sergei Pavlovich, which he believes will position him for a title shot as early as 2026. Speaking to MMA Fighting, he emphasized his confidence in breaking through to the top in the near future.

He stated,

“Now that Jon Jones has retired, and the division is finally rolling, I expect to be fighting for the belt before the end of next year,”

Teixeira said.

“Fight Derrick now, and I hope to fight one more time this year, and next year I’ll be fighting for the belt…maybe next is Sergei or Curtis Blaydes, a name like that.”

Despite his ambitions, Teixeira recognizes a major obstacle in his path, pointing to Jailton Almeida—also known as ‘Malhadinho’—as the only man currently capable of halting Tom Aspinall’s reign. He added,

“I think the only one that could stop (Aspinall) right now would be ‘Malhadinho’ (Jailton Almeida),”

and continued,

“I don’t see (Ciryl) Gane beating him. I don’t think Sergei wins either. So I think the most likely to win would be ‘Malhadinho’.”

Teixeira also highlighted the significance of their shared Brazilian roots:

“It’s good that the belt would come to Bahia one way or the other. If ‘Malhadinho’ doesn’t take his belt, I got it.”

Jailton Almeida’s Title Shot Prospects Appear Delayed

While Almeida remains a vocal contender for the undisputed heavyweight championship now held by Aspinall, recent developments suggest his title shot may not come immediately. Following Jon Jones’ retirement, Almeida called out Aspinall directly, but it seems another opponent has gained preference for an upcoming fight.

Indications point toward Ciryl Gane, another heavyweight contender, possibly facing Alexander Volkov in a title eliminator bout. Almeida himself hinted at this matchup on social media platform X, stating

“Volkov already agreed. I said close to his home in Abu Dhabi, he said in my home in Brazil, both said October or November, so…let’s go! I like the fight, he likes the fight and UFC likes the fight! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite”

If this fight materializes, it would likely sideline Almeida from immediate contention, leaving Gane as the leading challenger in the months ahead and narrowing the field for Tom Aspinall.

The Heavyweight Division’s Upcoming Landscape and What It Means

Tallison Teixeira’s upcoming fight and stated plans emphasize the competitive nature of the heavyweight division as it enters a new phase post-Jon Jones. With multiple Brazilian contenders like Teixeira and Almeida vying for the top spot, alongside established names such as Curtis Blaydes, Sergei Pavlovich, and Ciryl Gane, the division remains dynamic and closely contested.

Teixeira’s confidence in challenging for the title within the next year signals a shifting heavyweight scene, while Almeida’s potential eliminator bout with Volkov could reshape the challengers’ hierarchy. Fans can expect several significant matchups leading to a definitive championship contest.

Ultimately, how these fights unfold will set the stage for Tom Aspinall’s reign, testing whether he can maintain dominance or if a new Brazilian champion will emerge to claim the heavyweight crown.