SINGAPORE – Jan Blachowicz is keeping a close eye on the winner of Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka.
Teixeira (33-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) defends his light heavyweight title against Prochazka (28-3-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 275 main event, which takes place at Singapore Indoor Stadium. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Blachowicz (29-9 MMA, 12-6 UFC) lost his title to Teixeira when he was dominated and submitted at UFC 267 but has since rebounded with a recent TKO over top contender Aleksandar Rakic at UFC on ESPN 36. Having been in there with Teixeira, Blachowicz gives the Brazilian champion the edge.
“For me, it’s 50-50 with little bit more on Glover,” Blachowicz told MMA Junkie. “He found something in himself at the end of his career. He can survive everything, he’s got a lot of experience, he knows how to use it, and that’s why he’s a little bit better than Jiri, who is younger with a weird style, crazy style. But if Glover survives this crazy style in the beginning of the fight, if he takes him down, he can submit him.”
Should he retain his title, Teixeira said he could be looking at his final fight in November. Whenever the champion is ready, Blachowicz is willing to jump in there right away, even though he jokingly admitted that he likely wouldn’t be able to make weight as a backup for Saturday.
“For the belt, I can fight tomorrow,” Blachowicz said. “I don’t wish them anything bad, but if something happens, I can do it tomorrow for the belt no problem. Even with this tube in my eye because still I’ve got it … it’s gonna be hard (to make weight Friday), but I don’t know, but I will try.”
He continued, “I’m No. 1. I won against No. 3, that’s why.”