Tallison Teixeira Bio
Tallison Teixeira Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “Xicao,” he has been a professional competitor since 2021 and earned his place on the UFC roster through a standout appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. As of October 28, 2025, he holds the number fifteen position in the official UFC Heavyweight rankings.
Trained out of Team Lucas Mineiro and based in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, Teixeira has built a reputation as a powerful striker with finishing instincts. His professional record reflects eight wins against a single loss, with multiple victories coming by way of knockout and submission.
Early Life and Background
Tallison Teixeira Silva was born on December 7, 1999, in Vitória da Conquista, a city in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Growing up in a country with a deep-rooted tradition in combat sports, he was introduced to martial arts during his formative years and developed an early interest in striking-based disciplines.
Details about his family background and early education are not widely documented, but his physical development suggested a future in the heavyweight ranks. Standing at an imposing 203 centimeters tall with a reach of 211 centimeters, Teixeira possessed the natural frame and athletic attributes suited for the highest level of mixed martial arts competition.
His move from Bahia to São Paulo allowed him to join Team Lucas Mineiro, a respected training camp that would play a central role in his professional development. This transition marked the beginning of his structured path toward a career in mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Teixeira began his professional MMA career in 2021, fighting exclusively in his native Brazil during his developmental years. He quickly established himself as a promising heavyweight prospect, amassing an undefeated record of six wins and no losses during this early stretch. Notably, all of these victories came by way of first-round stoppage, signaling his ability to finish fights before they reached the judges’ scorecards.
During this period, he competed for regional promotions and gained experience fighting for organizations such as Legacy Fighting Alliance. His consistent finishing rate drew attention from international scouts and set the stage for an opportunity on one of MMA’s most prominent proving grounds: Dana White’s Contender Series.
His orthodox stance, combined with his power and reach, made him a difficult matchup for most of his early opponents. These attributes, refined through years of training, helped Teixeira build the foundation needed to take the next step toward the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Tallison Teixeira Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
Teixeira’s early professional years were spent building a knockout résumé in Brazilian regional circuits. Competing as a heavyweight, he faced a series of opponents and consistently delivered decisive results, with every one of his first six professional victories ending inside the opening round.
His rapid rise through the regional scene demonstrated both his finishing ability and his potential to compete at a higher level. By mid-2024, he had positioned himself as one of Brazil’s most intriguing heavyweight prospects, ready to test his skills against a global audience.
Dana White’s Contender Series (2024)
Teixeira was booked to compete on Week 6 of Season 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series on September 17, 2024, where he faced fellow Brazilian prospect Arthur Lopes. The bout represented a significant opportunity to secure a UFC contract, and Teixeira made the most of the moment.
He won the fight via first-round knockout, delivering a performance that impressed UFC President Dana White. As a result of the finish, Teixeira was awarded a contract to join the UFC roster, marking a defining milestone in his young career.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2024–Present)
Teixeira was originally scheduled to face Łukasz Brzeski at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024, but he was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury. Kennedy Nzechukwu stepped in as his replacement, postponing Teixeira’s promotional debut.
He eventually made his UFC debut on February 8, 2025, at UFC 312, where he faced Justin Tafa. Teixeira won the bout by knockout in the first round, a performance that earned him the Performance of the Night bonus and announced his arrival on the global stage.
On July 12, 2025, Teixeira faced former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC on ESPN 70. He suffered his first professional loss, falling by technical knockout just thirty-five seconds into the opening round. Despite the setback, the bout marked his first main event appearance in the promotion.
Notable Events and Milestones
Teixeira’s UFC debut knockout of Justin Tafa at UFC 312 stands as his signature performance to date, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus and establishing his presence in the heavyweight division. His first main event against Derrick Lewis, though resulting in a loss, represented a major step up in competition. The Contender Series knockout of Arthur Lopes remains the moment that launched his UFC career.
Tallison Teixeira Family
Personal Life
Teixeira resides in São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, where he trains with Team Lucas Mineiro. Outside of his professional fighting career, limited public information is available regarding his personal relationships, marital status, or children.
2025 Season Performance
Tallison Teixeira’s 2025 campaign was a year of contrasts, highlighted by a stunning promotional debut and a sobering first defeat. He opened the year at UFC 312 in February, where his first-round knockout of Justin Tafa announced him as a finisher to watch in the heavyweight division and earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
The summer brought his first main event opportunity, a marquee matchup against veteran Derrick Lewis at UFC on ESPN 70 in July. The fight ended in disappointment, as Lewis stopped him just thirty-five seconds into the first round by technical knockout. The loss served as a learning experience against one of the division’s most experienced knockout artists.
Despite the setback, Teixeira rebounded to hold the number fifteen position in the UFC Heavyweight rankings as of October 28, 2025. His blend of youth, power, and finishing ability suggests a strong foundation for future growth, and his trajectory within the heavyweight division remains one to watch in the seasons ahead.