UFC Fight Night 73: Teixeira vs. St-Preux Date: August 8, 2015 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Venue: Bridgestone Arena Broadcast: FS1 UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Glover Teixeira When people talk about the next big thing at light heavyweight in the UFC, the name Glover Teixeira (22-4) comes up every time. With a black belt in BJJ and fists that have helped him deliver 13 knockouts in his 22 wins, Teixeira is the real deal and can win a fight anywhere it goes. He was on a 20-fight winning streak and garnering increased attention as a true contender in the UFC light heavyweight division following dominant wins over Kyle Kingsbury (submission) Fabio Maldonado (TKO), Quinton Jackson (unanimous decision) and Ryan Bader (KO), but faltered when he fought Jon Jones for the title at UFC 172, losing a unanimous decision. He then fought Phil Davis at UFC 179 and despite being a big favorite heading into that bout he lost another decision, giving him two losses in a row. However, he is still an incredibly-dangerous fighter, and at 35 years of age his time as one of the division’s best is not over. He is being given a difficult stylistic fight against the younger, more athletic Ovince St-Preux in his next fight, but if he fights to his potential he has the tools to pull off the victory, although it certainly won’t be easy. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Ovince St-Preux An athletic specimen, Ovince St-Preux (18-6) has looked great since entering the UFC, going 4-0 in the Octagon with three finishes. He is just 32 years old and seems to be improving every fight, as he’s racked up a 6-1 record in the UFC with five stoppages and his only loss coming to Ryan Bader. With a solid wrestling base to go along with some power on the feet and an underrated submission game, St-Preux is quickly emerging as a dark horse at 205lbs. If he can keeps making strides in his game, who knows, the sky may be the limit for the man nicknamed OSP. He has feasted on mid-tier competition so far, and lost when he stepped up in competition against Bader last summer, but he’s a different fighter now, and if he can upset Glover Teixeira at UFC Fight Night 73, he’ll be closing in on a title shot at 205lbs. Opening Fight Night 73 Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Teixiera a -140 favorite (bet $140 to win $100) while St-Preux opened as a +100 underdog (bet $100 to win $100) at Several Bookmakers. This is a great fight that will determine who is a top-five light heavyweight in the UFC. Teixeira made it all the way to the title, but after losing to Jon Jones dropped a disappointing decision to Phil Davis in his last fight. OSP, on the other hand, has won two-straight fights by KO over Pat Cummins and Shogun Rua and has won six of his last seven fights. He has looked great lately and could be a darkhorse at 205lbs. We’ll find out in this fight who the better fighter is, and although Teixeira opens up as a light favorite, do not count out OSP from winning this fight.
