UFC Predictions: UFC 275: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
This weekend sees the worldโs premier MMA promotion head to Singapore for UFC 275, the first pay-per-view to come from the Asian country.
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[ Saturday | Live on ESPN+ PPV: ufc.ac/3NmyBV9 ] https://t.co/mEGWe867bi
UFC 275 features two major title bouts at the top of the card, as well as a rematch of one of the promotionโs all-time greatest brawls, making it a must-see for all fans.
With plenty on the line, then, this is absolutely a show that cannot be missed, and it could turn out to be one of the best of 2022.
Here are the predicted outcomes for UFC 275: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka.
#1. UFC light heavyweight title: Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
In many ways, this is one of the most unlikely title fights in UFC history. Nobody really expected Glover Teixeira, who turned 42 years old last October, to dethrone Jan Blachowicz when they faced off for the light heavyweight title. Instead, the Brazilian produced a tremendous showing to choke the champion out, claiming the gold in the process.
However, whether Teixeiraโs title reign can continue past this point is a major question mark. Sure, challenger Jiri Prochazka has only had two bouts inside the octagon to date, but both fights saw him dispatch his opponents with ruthless striking power.
When you consider that the fighters โDenisaโ has beaten were hardly scrubs, a pair of former title challengers in Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes, then itโs safe to say that the Czech native is a very dangerous fighter indeed.
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Essentially, while Teixeira carries a heavy hand in his own right and has scored knockouts over the likes of Ryan Bader and Rashad Evans during his UFC career, this fight would be uniquely risky should he choose to keep it standing.
Not only does Prochazka appear to move much faster than the Brazilian, but Teixeiraโs chin is no longer what it once was. So, if โDenisaโ can land with a big shot, heโs very likely to be able to put the veteran away.
That means that to win, the champion will need to put Prochazka on the ground. Teixeira is a legitimate world-class grappler, and if he can take the top position then heโs able to take out anyone; just ask Blachowicz, who was thoroughly dominated on the ground.
However, to do that heโll have to get Prochazka on his back, and given the explosive athleticism possessed by the challenger, that might be pretty tricky, particularly as Teixeira doesnโt necessarily own the best wrestling game in the division.
Overall, Teixeira is a tough, skilled champion, but at the age of 42, heโs likely to start slowing down at any time, and this looks like a bad match for him, at least on paper. Prochazka is probably going to be hungrier, heโs full of confidence, and he knows he can finish anyone.
With that considered, the pick is Prochazka via second-round knockout.
The Pick: Prochazka via second round KO