In the Clinch – UFC 275: Teixeira, Prochazka aim for greatness – UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira will not be browbeaten into retiring.
Rookie – 2012 Topps UFC Bloodlines
Teixeira (33-7-0), 42, will defend the title for the first time at UFC 275 this Saturday against dynamic challenger Jiri Prochazka. In talking to reporters, he’s enjoying the hard-fought rigours of a champion and looking forward to figuring out the stylistic puzzle that is Prochazka.
Prochazka (28-3-1), 29, is fighting for the belt in just his third UFC bout. He dispatched Dominick Reyes with a highlight-reel spinning elbow in his last bout at UFC Vegas 25 last May and Volkan Oezdemir before that.
Jiri can make history Saturday as the first champion from the Czech Republic. It adds some pressure of course, but he seems more motivated to accomplish something for his country Saturday.
Both fighters will try to be unpredictable wherever the fight goes, but Teixeira probably does not want to get drawn into a striking battle. Like in previous fights, Glover will probably try to hurt Jiri if he can with some strikes and then try to finish him on the ground with the trusty rear-naked choke.
Rookie – 2021 Panini Prizm, Silver
If Jiri can keep the fight like he did against Reyes, then he can capitalize on his dynamic striking advantage and pick Glover apart with his assortment of weapons. Even on the mat, I think Prochazka has some traps on the ground.
Glover shocked the world when he became champion at the fighter-advanced age of 42. He said to reporters that if things continue to go well, he will likely continue to fight and who can blame him?
That means Prochazka will need to take it from Teixeira in Singapore. If he can score the emphatic victory, will Teixeira retire? We saw Felice Herrig leave her gloves in the octagon last week after losing to Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
We’ll have to see. Should be a great fight.
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Glover Teixeira
Jiri Prochazka
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Glover Teixeira
Jiri Prochazka
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