By Gene Lesser
The UFC is headed halfway across the world to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi for UFC 267. This is the second time that Abu Dhabi has hosted the UFC this year and the first non pay-per-view numbered event in the U.S. since UFC 138 in 2011. That means that this ridiculously stacked "PPV" card will be free and available to the U.S audience on ESPN+. In the main event, the light-heavyweight title will be on the line as, champion, Jan Blachowicz takes on the surging and wiley veteran, Glover Teixeira. The co-main event will feature a interim title bout between former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, and perennial bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen. Before we jump into this loaded card, let's take a look back at the UFC's last PPV event, UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega. As always, you'll find all of my picks for UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira at the bottom of this article.
All of the fight odds are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing. All of the stats are provided by UFCStats.com.
Last Event's Recap - UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega Betting Record:
All Fight Picks: 11-2
Official Plays: 4-1
Units: +4.09
What a night...A much needed night! Dan Hooker (-155) got the night started with a convincing win over Nasrat Haqparast (+135). Less than a week after his victory, he quickly accepted a short notice fight against Islam Makhachev that takes place on this card. Next up, was Merab Dvalishvili (-260) who almost got finished in the first round, came back, and ended up finishing Marlon Moraes (+210) in the second round himself. It was a spectacular come back win and a notable name for his resume in his quest for a title shot in the bantamweight division. Jessica Andrade (-225) kept us undefeated on the night with a vicious first round knockout of Cynthia Calvillo (-185). She remains the unquestioned number one contender in a shallow flyweight divsion. Nick Diaz (+135) was our first blemish of the night as he was unable to handle the pace Robbie Lawler (-155) put on him throughout the fight. It was a valent effort by a fighter who was out of action for over six years. Lawler looked good and I'm interested to see what the UFC does with him next. Finally, in the main event, Alexander Volkanovski (-190) showed his heart and toughness by surviving two incredibly deep submissions by Brian Ortega (+160) to hold on to his featherweight championship. Volkanovski remains undefeated in the UFC and is slowly but surely solidifying himself amongst the greats in the featherweight history books. Let’s now turn our attention towards this week’s card, UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira.
Jan Blachowicz (-305) vs. Glover Teixeira (+240)
Both of these fighters are defying "Father Time" as they are having some of their best performances late in their career. Jan Blachowicz, the 38-year old, is coming off a great performance in his win over, middleweight champion, Isreal Adesanya. Glover Teixeira, the 43-year old, has won five straight fights and is coming off of an impressive come from behind victory over Thiago Santos.
Teixeira is looking to finally touch UFC gold in his second attempt Saturday night. He'll need to utilize his grappling if he plans to realize that goal because Blachowicz is going to be tough beat on the feet. Blachowicz has the power and defensive prowess to hang with Teixeira on the feet. The question is, can Teixeira get Blachowicz to the ground?
I really do not believe he can.
Blachowicz has evolved as a fighter and with that has been his takedown defense. He has only been taken down a couple of times in five years. It's Blachowicz time to reign over this shallow light-heavyweight divison and that reign will continue Saturday morning when he knocks out Teixeira.
5.00 units on Jan Blachowicz (-305)
Petr Yan (-225) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+185)
An injury to the champion, Aljamain Sterling, opened the door for an interm title fight between Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. Yan is looking to get "half" of his belt back after an unconscionable illegal knee that lead to him losing his belt to Sterling. Sandhagen, who is coming off a loss, is getting the rare opportunity of fighting for a title off of a loss.
Both of these fighters are smart, cerebral fighters who will engage in a chess match inside the octagon. However, it is Yan that will ultimately get the better of this matchup. Yan is the crisper and more accurate striker with an insane gas tank. Sandhagen is dangerous, especially his knees up the middle and if he can catch Yan with one of his patent knees or kicks, it could be night, night for Yan. What I like about Yan is that he gets better as the fight goes on. He reads and reacts to his opponent's game plan as the fight progresses. Ultimately, I believe that Yan will get the better of the exchanges on the feet, but if he gets into any trouble on the feet with the dangerous striker in Sandhagen, he can fall back on his grappling as a "break glass" fail safe if need be. Sandhagen has struggled throughout his career in grappling and wrestling exchanges.
3.00 units on Petr Yan (-225)
Alexander Volkov (-310) vs. Marcin Tybura (+245)
The UFC is putting Marcin Tybura's recent win streak to the test againt a legit top five heavyweight in Volkov. There is just a huge disparity between the opponents that Volkov has fought and the ones Tybura has fought. I believe that the UFC gave Volkov a get right fight here, one that will keep him in the top five in his division, should he get the win.
Ultimately, I see Volkov knocking Tybura out before the final bell as his striking is just far superior to Tybura's. Tybura has been rocked numerous times in his most recent fights against lesser competition and Volkov has enough takedown defense to stop Tybura's clearest path to victory.
4.00 units on Alexander Volkov (-310)
Amanda Ribas (-165) vs. Virna Jandiroba (+145)
These women have very similar fight styles. They both excel in the grappling and submission department. The one difference is that Ribas is the better striker on the feet. She is more fluid, active, and defensively sound. What she lacks in power, she makes up for in volume. Jandiroba definitely has the power and strength advatage on the feet, but her plodding and statuesque fighting style will leave her open to getting outpointed on the feet.
Ribas is confident and skilled enough to still use her grappling and bjj skills to control Jandiroba on the ground if need be also. She is good at controlling her opponent on the gorund and Jandiroba has shown that she has trouble off of her back, oustide of the fluky submissions.
2.00 units on Amanda Ribas (-165)
"Underdog of the Night" Pizza Bet - Michal Oleksiejczuk (+100)
The kid is a beautiful striker on the feet. He's gotten better at shoring up his grappling and wrestling deficiencies in recent fights. As long as he avoids prolonged activity on the ground, I believe he gets his hand raised for a decision victory.
"Prop Bet of the Night" Pizza Bet - Jan Blachowicz To Win By KO/TKO/DQ (+100)
Glover Teixeira has been rocked in a few of his most recent fights but has been fortunate enough to squeak out victories. Jan Blachowicz is a different monster. He throws vicious kicks and powerful punches that I do not believe that Teixeira will be able to withstand for five rounds.
"Parlay of the Night" Pizza Bet - Khamzat Chimaev (-600)/Alexander Volkov (-305)/Islam Makhachev (-550)/Jan Blachowicz (-305) = +143
I'm getting nuts here, but these are my most confident picks of the night. The UFC is giving Chimaev a "gimme fight" against Jingliang. I believe Chimaev starches him inside of two rounds. Volkov will stop Tybura's takedown attempts and knock him out before the fight gets to the cards. This is a get right fight for Volkov. Makhachev is not losing to Hooker, period. This is a showcase fight for him. Blachowicz has the toughest fight on his hands out of the four legs of this parlay, but ultimately he will knock Teixeira out at some point over the course of five rounds. It's the Blachowicz era at 205.
UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira Picks:
Main Card - 2:00 PM ET on ESPN+
Jan Blachowicz (-305) vs. Glover Teixeira (+240)
Petr Yan (-225) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+185)
Islam Makhachev (-550) vs. Dan Hooker (+400)
Alexander Volkov (-310) vs. Marcin Tybura (+245)
Li Jingliang (+435) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-600)
Magomed Ankalaev (-310) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (+245)
Preliminary Card - 10:30 AM ET on ESPN+
Amanda Ribas (-165) vs. Virna Jandiroba (+145)
Ricardo Ramos (+150) vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (-170)
Albert Duraev (-380) vs. Roman Kopylov (+290)
Elizeu Dos Santos (-250) vs. Benoit Saint-Denis (+200)
Shamil Gamzatov (-120) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (+100)
Makwan Amirkhani (+225) vs. Lerone Murphy (-280)
Hu Yaozong (+185) vs. Andre Petroski (-225)
Tagir Ulanbekov (-400) vs. Allan Nascimento (+300)