UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira preview

May 12th, 2020

Wednesday night is all right for fighting, as the UFC comes fast and hard midweek.

A crossroads clash between Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira headlines this UFC card on ESPN+. If you haven’t got your fight fix from the busy UFC weekend, then this battle is for you.

BetAmerica has the inside look on what to expect in Jacksonville for UFC Fight Night!

You wait ages for a UFC event then two come along at once!@LionheartaSmith vs @GloverTeixeira at UFCJax this Wednesday night! pic.twitter.com/dd6s4Gnkpe
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 11, 2020

Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira odds

Fighter	UFC Fight Night odds

Anthony Smith	-180
Glover Teixeira	+150

Smith has been hot lately

Smith’s run at light heavyweight has been commendable. He has a record of 4-1 since he moved up, with his only loss to Jon Jones in March of 2019. Those four wins have come against long-in-the-tooth veterans, who have hung around longer than they needed to, and Teixeira fits that mold.

Smith is a patient striker, who is crafty and deceptively strong. He’s is also capable on the ground, and that combination has led to early finishes in each of his last four wins. Teixeira doesn’t have the reflexes and the speed to stuff Smith's stand-up game.

.@gloverteixeira has no issues with "amazing guy" Anthony Smith ahead of their fight at #UFCJAX:

"I'm good with everyone, I respect everyone. But when it's time to fight, it's time to fight."

Watch full media day interview: https://t.co/v62Z9iZfR6 pic.twitter.com/TDjulLYo4a
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 11, 2020

Teixeira is a gatekeeper at this point in his career

Even though he has won his last three fights, Teixeira has been getting beaten up. The fighters he has defeated confirm his reputation as the division’s gatekeeper.

But Smith has long graduated from that stage. The only thing Teixeira can rely on in this bout is his sturdy chin, which is sure to be tested.

Smith's fight to lose

The best chance the veteran has is to somehow take Smith down and score a shock submission. But to do that, he'll have to be in striking range against a younger, stronger fighter in his prime.

It’s not a matter of if Smith will win, but how. As long as he doesn’t overexert himself or let Teixeira off the hook when he has him hurt, it’s Smith’s fight to lose.

It could get ugly fast, but Teixeira’s chin and heart will hold him up for all three rounds. Smith will tee off, but his attempts to stop Teixeira be in vain. Expect Smith to win in a dominant decision.