On July 12, 2025, Derrick Lewis secured his 16th knockout with an astonishing 35-second stoppage of Tallison Teixeira at UFC Nashville inside Bridgestone Arena in Tennessee. This knockout extended Lewis’s record for the most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history, delivering a rapid and emphatic win that thrilled fans and underscored his reputation in the division.

Extraordinary Post-Fight Antics Capture Attention

Following his quick finish, Lewis escalated his post-fight celebration in unprecedented fashion. He began with his trademark ground pose before rising to mimic an air bow and arrow, referencing Israel Adesanya’s recent knockout of Alex Pereira. Afterward, Lewis removed his fight shorts, a strange but consistent part of his routine.

He then ran toward Teixeira’s corner, performed gestures resembling a dog marking territory, and waved farewell to the opposing team, apparently responding to alleged trash talk from the coaches. Lewis’s actions didn’t end there; he made a surprising request to UFC President Dana White for a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by tossing his shorts and protective cup into the crowd. The event concluded with Lewis mooning the audience, an extraordinary finale to an already extraordinary night.

Reactions and Impact of Lewis’s Celebration

Fan-recorded footage of Lewis’s mooning quickly spread on social media, sparking mixed reactions. Despite the divisive response, Lewis seemed unfazed, continuing to display his unpredictable personality. Dana White facilitated Lewis’s phone call with President Trump, adding another unusual chapter to the post-fight events.

Lewis’s antics at UFC Nashville reflected his evolving approach to celebrations, appearing intent on pushing boundaries each time he competes. While some found his behavior unconventional, it undeniably added an extra layer of spectacle to his performance and kept the crowd engaged throughout the night.