UFC on FOX 19 April 16th, 2016 Glover Teixeira vs. Rashad Evans Location: Tampa, Florida Venue: Amalie Arena Broadcast: FOX (8pm ET) UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Glover Teixeira Former light heavyweight title challenger Glover Teixeira was seen as one of the best 205ers outside of the UFC for many years until he was finally snatched up by the promotion in 2012. He lived up to the hype once stepping into the Octagon, notching five straight wins (four finishes) on his way to a title shot with Jon Jones. He dropped a decision against the champion in 2014, and subsequently lost in an uninspired performance against Phil Davis that had many thinking his time had passed. However, since those two setbacks he has regained form with stoppage victories over Ovince St. Preux and Patrick Cummins to re-affirm his spot as a top light heavyweight. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Rashad Evans More than 10 years after winning The Ultimate Fighter 2 as an undersized heavyweight, Rashad Evans remains one of the most recognizable – if least active – light heavyweights on the UFC roster. His 14-4 record in the Octagon includes a brief stint as 205lb champion back in 2008-09, when he bested fellow TUF champion Forrest Griffin to capture the belt. Until recently, he was also one half of the biggest non-title pay-per-view in UFC history (his UFC 114 grudge match with ‘Rampage’ Jackson). Following that feud, Evans earned his way to another crack at the title against Jon Jones, which he lost by decision. Injuries have derailed the former champ since then, with a two-year absence due to an ACL tear (and subsequent rejection of a cadaver ACL) leaving him unable to pull the trigger when he returned against Ryan Bader in late 2015. Opening Odds Breakdown: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened Teixeira a -190 favorite (bet $190 to win $100) with the comeback on Evans at +150 (bet $100 to win $150) at Several Bookmakers. That was when the bout was tapped as the co-main event of UFC on Fox 19 and scheduled for three rounds. Since then, Tony Ferguson was forced from his main event bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the two veterans were promoted to a five-round main event. That shouldn’t change the complexion of the bout much, as both have experience in five round fights and have generally had reliable cardio. The line has moved in Teixeira’s favour though, as he now sits at -230, with Evans at +190. The biggest issue in this fight is if Evans will be able to pull the trigger offensively. His wrestling is good enough to score takedowns on Teixeira, and he’s been an effective striker while able to avoid the power of every opponent he’s faced, save for Lyoto Machida. It seems like this has been a growing problem of his though, as we’ve seen similar hesitance in several of his fights even prior to his injuries. As a pick, I’ll have to side with the more reliable fighter between at 36-year-olds, and that’s Glover Teixeira. As for a bet, it’s terrifying that a guy who put on the kind of dud performance Teixeira did against Phil Davis is the more consistent fighter in his bout, so I’m not anxious to bet him at the current line. The over 3.5 is very intriguing however, as both men have proven very difficult to finish throughout their careers, with just two stoppage losses amongst 52 fights.
