One of the huge UFC events of 2021 takes place this weekend at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, as UFC 267 takes place. Two huge title fights will headline the card, including the Light Heavyweight showdown between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira.
Tale of the Tape
| Jan Blachowicz | Glover Teixeira | |
| 38 | Age | 41 |
| 28-8 | Record | 32-7 |
| 6 ft 2 in | Height | 6 ft 2 in |
| 78 in | Reach | 76 in |
| · 1 x UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
· 1 x Fight of the Night · 5 x Performance of the Night · 1x KSW Light Heavyweight Champion |
Achievements | · 3 x Performance of the Night
· 1 x Knockout of the Night · 1x Submission of the Night · 2 x Fight of the Night · Most stoppage victories in light heavyweight division |
Big Fight Preview
This is a huge event that all MMA fans will be looking forward to this weekend, as generations collide. Jan Blachowicz is the clear favourite in the BetXchange betting markets, as he is currently valued at 1/3 to get the win. Meanwhile, Glover Teixeira is priced up at 22/10 to win the fight.
Blachowicz has been the Light Heavyweight champion since winning the gold against Dominick Reyes at UFC 253. It was a stunning victory by the fighter, as he became just the second Polish star to win a title in the UFC. He blasted his opponent on that night in the UAE, as he won by second round TKO. That was the eighth time that he had won by that method. Eleven of his victories have come by decision, while nine wins have come by submission.
The biggest win came in the fight after that, as he defended the title for the very first time in his career against Israel Adesanya. He was immediately listed as the underdog in that fight, but he made his height advantage count throughout to win comfortably by decision. However, this is a slightly different proposition ahead of him this weekend.
Teixeira is a very dangerous challenger for the belt this weekend, as he has found some excellent form over the past couple of years. He had gone on a run of three defeats in five fights between 2016 and 2018, before getting back to winning ways with a submission victory over Karl Roberson. He won by submission again in his next fight, before then needing a split decision majority to beat Nikita Krylov. Teixeira’s last two wins both came last year.
He beat Anthony Smith with a stunning TKO finish in round fight in May, before earning his title shot with a submission victory over Thiago Santos in round three. Most interestingly, Santos was the last man to beat Blachowicz in the octagon, when he beat the Pole in February 2019.
Jan Blachowicz vs Glover Teixeira Prediction
This should be a thrilling fight, and could be a wonderful story if Teixeira is able to get the win. However, Blachowicz is the best fighter in this division, and is looking every inch like a man that continues to run with the title. It could be a classic, but the Pole will keep hold of his title.
