UFC 267 Clash: Blachowicz Vs. Teixeira!

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight veterans Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira will clash TODAY (Sat., Oct. 30, 2021) at UFC 267 inside Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The most unlikely title fight of 2021 is still a good one. Just a couple years ago, Blachowicz’s potential to become champion was pretty unthinkable, and Teixeira was considered more in the “soon to retire” category than contender. For this fight to materialize for UFC gold, each man had to accomplish some incredible and unlikely feats. Blachowicz revamped his entire game and rebuilt his confidence, allowing him to turn away younger, elite talents. Meanwhile, Teixeira proved himself inhumanly tough to overcome several awful spots throughout his win streak, and he’s still a potent finisher.

Let’s take a closer look at the keys to victory for each man:

Jan Blachowicz

Record: 28-8
Key Wins: Israel Adesanya (UFC 259), Dominick Reyes (UFC 253), Corey Anderson (UFC Fight Night 167), Luke Rockhold (UFC 239), Jimi Manuwa (UFC Fight Night 127), Nikita Krylov (UFC Fight Night 136), Jared Cannonier (UFC on FOX 26), Ronaldo Souza (UFC Fight Night 164)
Key Losses: Thiago Santos (UFC Fight Night 145), Alexander Gustafsson (UFC Fight Night 93), Jimi Manuwa (UFC Fight Night 64), Corey Anderson (UFC 191)
Keys to Victory: Seriously, take a second look at that “Key Wins” column. Blachowicz has built himself one hell of a resume in recent years, showcasing his experience by smartly outmaneuvering foes both on the feet and on the mat.

If Blachowicz can avoid anything crazy happening, he should win this fight cleanly. First and foremost, Blachowicz has the takedown defense to stop Teixeira’s high-crotch. As such, it should be a kickboxing battle, and Blachowicz is so much more varied in that realm. He has to watch for the overhand, but otherwise, picking apart Teixeira with his jab and kicks doesn’t seem a majorly difficult ask compared to his recent challenges.

Blachowicz just has to remain sharp and avoid making mistakes. A fair percentage of Teixeira’s current win streak came as a result of opponents chasing the finish and either gassing in the process or leaving themselves open to takedowns. Blachowicz should have the experience to avoid such errors, but he’s prone to occasional moments of recklessness himself.

Stay composed and take the win.

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Glover Teixeira

Record: 32-7
Key Wins: Thiago Santos (UFC Vegas 13), Anthony Smith (UFC Jacksonville), Ryan Bader (UFC 160), Ovince St. Preux (UFC Fight Night 73), Quinton Jackson (UFC on FOX 6), Misha Cirkunov (UFC on FOX 26), Ion Cutelaba (UFC Fight Night 150), Nikita Krylov (UFC Fight Night 158)
Key Losses: Jon Jones (UFC 172), Alexander Gustafsson (UFC Fight Night 109), Anthony Johnson (UFC 202), Corey Anderson (UFC Fight Night 134)
Keys to Victory: Teixeira is tougher than a well-done $2 steak. The Brazilian still carries major power in his hands, but much of his recent success has come from his grappling. When able to score top position, Teixeira puts opponents through a real meat grinder of excellent hip pressure, brutal punches, and dangerous chokes.

Teixeira may not be favored in a Kickboxing battle vs. Blachowicz, but this is far from the worst match up for him. Unlike many of the younger talents at 205 lbs., Blachowicz will only hold a mild speed advantage over “Hands Of Stone,” and even with his improved punching power, he’s no “Rumble” Johnson.

In summary, Teixeira can hang with Blachowicz in the pocket and find at least some success trading shots. I’d really like to see Teixeira take his cross to the midsection here for a number of reasons. First, it’s a reasonably safe, hard to counter strike. Second, hitting Blachowicz in the chest can slow him down closer to Teixeira’s standard operating speed.

Finally, a dipping cross will help hide the takedown, which is the ultimate goal.

As important as the takedown is to Teixeira’s success, he cannot sell out on just trying to wrestle, which would likely leave him frustrated and tired. If he’s able to land hard punches and work his wrestling, however, whatever success he finds in one realm will help with the other.

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Bottom Line

The second oldest title fight in UFC history is a good one.

Jan Blachowicz has already scored one of the all-time great career turnarounds, from nearly cut disappointment to undisputed champion who ended Adesanya’s unbeaten run. Every additional defense is a cherry on top, further proof that addressing one’s flaws and getting back to work can pay off in a major way even when an athlete has been written off. At some point, this streak will end, but Jan Blachowicz already won the big picture battle.

Legendary Polish Power.

The reasoning is different, but Teixeira is deserving of similar admiration. He very likely could have been a champion in the pre-Jon Jones era were it not for visa issues, which is some unfortunate timing for the Brazilian. Rather than accept that fate, Teixeira has forced himself back into the title picture through sheer force of will, going on the gutsiest title run in recent memory. That story would obviously have a much more storybook ending if he does manage to take the title, but hell, the veteran’s recent tear is already inspiring.

At UFC 267, Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira will duel over 205-pound gold. Which man leaves the cage as champion?

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 267 fight card right here, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET, before the main card start time at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

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