Blachowicz vs Teixeira: What you need to know
- Time: UFC 267 kicks of with the prelims at 6 pm ET on ESPN and streaming service ESPN+
- Cost: The main card PPV, which costs US $69.99, begins at 10 pm ET exclusively on ESPN+
- Odds: The current odds have Blachowicz as a -265 favorite to Teixeira’s underdog line of +215 (via DraftKings)
- Tickets: Tickets for the event are currently sold out, but you can check if more become available here
This fight could turn into a battle of the better beard (chin)
Both Jan Blachowicz (28-8) and Glover Teixeira (32-7) have shown the ability to put opponents to sleep with their fists. However, the champion’s “Polish Power” has taken on a life of its own and been influential in his ascension to the top of the light heavyweight mountain. The pair will certainly trade fists on the feet, but over the last few years, Texeira’s chin has been less durable to power shots than in his prime. Which man better handles the firefight could be a major factor in who comes out victorious.
- Blachowicz’s underrated defense: The 38-year-old native of Poland has lost eight times in his career. However, despite competing in a division with some talented strikers over 36 fights, only once in the last nine years was he stopped via strikes. Despite competing against dangerous strikers like Israel Adesanya, Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, and Dominick Reyes, none of them were able to work through his defenses well enough to put a dent in his chin.
- Teixeira’s achilles heel: For much of Texeira’s career he was considered a durable competitor. Now he is known more for his resiliency, because the Brazilian has been hurt often in recent fights. However he has always been able to battle through and win. A major question in this fight is if his resilency will be enough for Blachowicz’s “Polish Power,” which put three of his last five foes to sleep.
Advantage: Blachowicz
Does Teixeira have a grappling advantage?
As feared as Texiera’s striking has been during his career, the 41-year-olds grappling has always been an underappreciated part of his game. Especially later in his career as his chin has become more of a liability. Blachowicz was known more for his grappling early in his UFC career but has transitioned into being a striker first as he became a force in the division. If things get too hot on the feet for either man, both have the sort of grappling that can change the playing field and momentum of a fight.
- Polish jiu jitsu: Blachowicz built a name for himself off his grappling and it was massive in him handling Adesanya the first loss of his MMA career in March. In an interview with MixedMartialArts, he talked about the faith he has in his “Polish jiu-jitsu,” when he needs to use it. Chances are, the Brazilian will try to test that confidence on fight night.
- Teixeira’s dangerous ground game: Not only is Teixeira a legitimate submission threat on the mat, but as he showed in his win over Anthony Smith in May 2020, he can deal out ferocious ground-and-pound. He is a not a fighter that will use his wrestling to score advantageous positions and ride out minutes. The ageless contender pushes for finishes.
Advantage: Teixeira
Does either Blachowicz or Teixeira have an x-factor?
In quite a few ways, Teixeira and Blachowicz are mirrors of one another. That’s what makes this matchup so fascinating. While both have strong points in their abilities, the gap between them in those areas isn’t insurmountable for the other man.
- Is Blachowicz’s striking the difference?: For Blachowicz to have stood for many parts of his bout with Adesanya, one of the best MMA strikers alive, and to have had moments of success is a credit to how far he has come as striker. Yet, he isn’t infallable in that department, and his strategy was striking to set up his grappling, not dominate with it. Even his wins over Reyes and Anderson did not lead to proclamations of him being the best techncial striker in the division.
- Is a win Teixeira’s destiny?: To be in a title fight outside of the heavyweight division at 41 is an amazing feat. Wining four in a row and being an elite talent in any division this far removed from an athlete’s prime years almost makes this all feel like destiny. The only problem is, there were moments in those four wins where the Brazilian was on the brink of defeat.
Advantage: Tie
The bottom line: To see two fighters so long in the MMA career tooth, and competing for UFC gold is unheard of outside of heavyweight. This isn’t a situation of better fighters being injured and the promotion looking to headline an event with a questionable championship booking. Blachowicz and Teixeira are legitimately two of the very best 205-pounders on the planet. And with them being so evenly matched, even in their years on earth, age may not be a factor in this battle of ageless wonders.
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