UFC Fight Night - Anthony Smith v Glover Teixeira: Preview, tips and where to watch

In the main event former light heavyweight title challengers Anthony “Lionheart” Smith and Glover Teixiera will go to war, while the rest of the card features the likes of Alex Hernandez versus Drew Dober, where the winner could enter the lightweight rankings, while in the bantamweight division Ray “The Tazmexican Devil” takes on Ricky Simon in a fight that could steal 'fight of the night' honours.

UFC Fight Night

• Start time: Prelims from 2.00 UK time; main card from 3.30 Thursday morning
• Watch: BT Sport 1 & BT Sport’s website and app from 1.00
• Where: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida
• Pick One: Smith to win via KO/TKO or Submission 5/6
• Pick Two: Drew Dober vs Alexander Hernandez to go to decision 10/11
• Pick Three: Ovince Saint-Preux to win via KO/TKO or Submission 13/8

Smith to power passed Teixiera

Anthony Smith is a fighter that can change up his style for any opponent in front of him. This is exemplified by his record of 30 finishes, with 18 coming via KO and 12 coming via submission.

'Lionheart' has fantastic durability too, with the Omaha native winning four of his last eight wins by KO/TKO or submission in the third round or later.

Teixiera is a threat with 17 KO wins himself as well as eight submission wins, but Smith has shown in past fights with the likes of Alexander Gustafsson and Volkan Oezdemir, that he can handle threat management.

This fight could go either of two ways: option one is Smith comes out aggressive and ends the fight in the first round or, the second method, Smith shows patience through the fight and finishes his Brazilian opponent late on.

Best Bet: Smith to win via KO/TKO or Submission 5/6

Full fight card

Main card

• Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
• Ben Rothwell vs. Ovince St. Preux
• Alexander Hernandez vs. Drew Dober
• Ricky Simon vs. Ray Borg
• Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori

Preliminary Card

• Andrei Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins
• Michael Johnson vs. Thiago Moises
• Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
• Hunter Azure vs. Brian Kelleher

Dober and Hernandez to go the distance

This fight is one which could have ramifications on the lower end of the UFC lightweight rankings, but is likely to go the distance.

In a combined 33 wins between the pair, 12 have come via decision.

Hernandez’s wrestling skill is well known and with an average of 1.5 takedowns per 15 minute fight, it is a safe to think he may want to try and out wrestle his opponent.

On the other hand, Dober has a takedown defence rate of 62% which could make Hernandez’s life difficult.

This is a fight where both men have met their match, and with both being known for going the distance, I don’t see this fight finishing early.

Best Bet: Drew Dober vs Alexander Hernandez to go to decision 10/11

Saint-Preux up against experienced Rothwell

This fight is one I’m really interested to see.

Ovince Saint-Preux is taking a huge gamble in stepping up in weight from light heavyweight to heavyweight, and is taking on an experienced heavyweight veteran in Ben Rothwell.

However, I do think OSP will get the job done within the distance, with the lack of a weight cut allowing him to focus more on training and allow him to be more powerful with his striking and have better use of his cardio.

The Knoxville MMA fighter has finished 19 of his 24 wins, and has even forged a reputation for being an expert of the “Von Flue” choke.

Not only has Saint-Preux got a proven finishing record, he is taking on Rothwell, who has been finished in six out of 12 losses.

One big shot from Rothwell could end the fight but if OSP can utilise his wrestling ability and get this fight to the mat quickly, he will be in his element.

Best Bet: Ovince Saint-Preux to win via KO/TKO or Submission 13/8

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