Following his victory at UFC Nashville, Derrick Lewis revealed he had a phone call with former President Donald Trump but declined to disclose details. Lewis suggested that their conversation touched on a sensitive subject related to terrorism within the United States, describing it as “classified.”
Highlights of Lewis’ UFC Nashville Heavyweight Victory
At UFC Nashville, held on Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee, Lewis headlined a heavyweight fight against rising contender Tallison Teixeira. Despite an early accidental eye graze from Teixeira, Lewis recovered swiftly and landed a powerful left hook that knocked Teixeira down. Within 35 seconds of the first round, Lewis unleashed ground-and-pound strikes, prompting referee Jason Herzog to stop the match and declare Lewis the winner.
This victory marked Lewis’ 16th knockout in the UFC, a milestone he celebrated enthusiastically while featuring a live phone call with Trump during the official win announcement by announcer Bruce Buffer.
Lewis Offers Cryptic Remarks on Post-Fight Phone Conversation
At the post-fight press conference, when questioned about his phone discussion with Trump, Lewis responded with humor and secrecy. He said,
“I’ve been telling Dana [White], a couple of weeks now. I need to talk to [Trump] about something…No man. No, it’s classified. It’s almost something about terrorists and stuff like that…I had to tell the president, ‘hey, make sure they don’t have my name on that list.'” —Derrick Lewis
Ambitions for a White House MMA Event and Presidential Pardon
Before UFC Nashville, Lewis expressed interest in participating in a potential MMA event at the White House. President Trump had previously suggested hosting an MMA card on the White House grounds to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, generating favorable reactions in the MMA community.
Lewis also humorously appealed for a presidential pardon, stating,
“I need to talk to Trump anyway, I need him to pardon me for some things…I’ve been telling Dana White to let Trump know…He’s been doing it and pardoning everyone else. Let [Trump] do it for me! I’ve been a good citizen for the last 20 years.” —Derrick Lewis
Implications of the Classified Phone Call and Future Developments
Lewis’ discreet comments about the phone call with President Trump suggest discussions on national security concerns, adding a surprising dimension to the UFC fighter’s backstage interactions at UFC Nashville. As details remain undisclosed, the conversation hints at important matters beyond the octagon, reflecting Lewis’ unique role connecting MMA with broader issues.
Looking ahead, the possibility of an MMA event at the White House remains an intriguing prospect, and Lewis’ hopes for a presidential pardon highlight his desire for closure on personal matters. Fans and analysts will be watching closely for further developments in both Lewis’ fighting career and his involvement in potential political intersections.