UFC on FOX 6: January 26, 2013 Chicago, Illinois UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Glover Teixeira (-245) Profile: When people talk about the next big thing at light heavyweight in the UFC, the names Alexander Gustafsson and Glover Teixeira (19-2) come up every time. The 33-year-old monster trains out of the famed Pit, where such notable fighters as Tim Kennedy, Bobby Southworth, Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell have learned their craft over the years. With a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and fists that have delivered him 11 knockouts in his 18 wins, Teixeira is the real deal and can bring the fight anywhere. He is currently on a 17-fight winning streak and garnering increased attention as a true contender in the suddenly-murky UFC light heavyweight division following dominant wins over Kyle Kingsbury (arm-triangle choke submission) and Fabio Maldonado (TKO) in his first two fights within the organization. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Quinton Jackson (+185) Profile: Former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-10) is nearing the end of his career with what he has said will be his last fight in the UFC on deck, but there is still some fight in the brawler. Jackson has not seen the win column since May of 2011 when he earned a unanimous decision against Matt Hamill, and although 34-year-old looked as good as he has in years in his title fight against light heavyweight champoin Jon Jones, he was still defeated handily. Couple that with Jackson demanding a fight in Japan at UFC 144, and then missing weight for it and being handled by Ryan Bader, and it looks like he will have only his heavy hands to rely on for a victory moving forward. Opening UFC on FOX 6 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Teixeira a solid -245 favorite (bet $245 to win $100) while Jackson opened as a +185 underdog (bet $100 to win $185) according to the MMA odds. This matchup was originally scheduled for UFC 153 in Brazil, but Jackson pulled out due to injury. That would have certainly given Teixeira a home country edge, and instead he pummeled fellow Brazilian Maldonado. Teixeira’s 17-fight winning streak is somewhat impressive, but he has yet to fight someone of Jackson’s caliber even if he is on the downside of his career. This should be a good test for him to prove he belongs among the elite light heavyweights in the UFC. Despite his two-fight skid, Jackson is still ranked in the Top 10 among 205-pounders in the MMAOB MMA Fighter Rankings while Teixeira is just outside. Of course that could change if Teixeira wins as expected, but Jackson does have a puncher’s chance because of his ability to KO opponents. Jackson’s last KO came against Wanderlei Silva nearly four years ago at UFC 92, so he may go all out in what could be his last fight inside the Octagon with his contract due to expire.
