Thiago Santos

UFC 253 Co-Main Preview: Who will be the new UFC light heavyweight champion?

by
Dominick Reyes

For the first time since 2011, the UFC will have a light heavyweight champion not named Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier. Dominick Reyes (12-1) and Jan Blachowicz (26-8) will battle tomorrow night for the vacant UFC light heavyweight crown.

There hasn’t been much parody in the division since Shogun Rua held the title. After Jon Jones won the belt at UFC 128, the division was ruled by him. The only time the belt changed hands was when Jones’ outside issues stripped him from the title.

In those times, Daniel Cormier led the charge. However, with Cormier retired and Jones moving to heavyweight, it’s a new and exciting day in the UFC‘s light heavyweight division. The two top contenders are fighting to lead the charge on this new day.

In addition to this UFC title fight, there is a title eliminator between Thiago Santos and Glover Teixiera booked for November, and Anthony Rumble Johnson is coming back. Exciting times are ahead for the light heavyweight division.

UFC 253 Prediction

For Dominick Reyes, he’s trying to right the wrong that occurred at UFC 247. In the eyes of many, Reyes did the unthinkable which is beat Jon Jones. However, all three of the judges gave the fight to Jon Jones. There were some debatable rounds, but many thought Reyes won.

A lot of people look at this fight more as a UFC title defense for Reyes versus him challenging to become champion. The uncrowned UFC champion will have his hands full tomorrow night, but he does have the skills to match.

Reyes has been very good since making his debut back in 2017. Outside of a controversial win against Volkan Oezdemir, Reyes has looked relatively dominant in his UFC career. His athletic ability, good/long striking and strength have made him a handful.

Standing across from Reyes tomorrow will be some Polish Power. Also since 2017, Jan Blachowicz has turned the corner in his UFC career. He had one slip up in a TKO loss to Thiago Santos, but outside of that, he’s been very good.

He’s racked up wins over Jared Cannonier, Jimi Manuwa, Nikita Krylov, and Jacare Souza. However, his most impressive victories have been his knockouts over Corey Anderson and former UFC middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold.

Blachowicz will definitely have the power advantage between the two men when they step into the cage for the UFC light heavyweight title tomorrow night. It’s going to be a fantastic fight.

In terms of a prediction, this one is easier for me to predict than the main event. I think Reyes is going to give Blachowicz a lot of issues with his speed. While the reach actually favors Jan, Reyes does a better job of striking from range.

I think Reyes is also going to show much improved cardio over the span of this one. I expect both guys to have their moments throughout the fight, but I think Reyes will do enough to win it on the scorecards. This time, Reyes will walk out of the cage with a UFC title.

Prediction: Dominick Reyes by Unanimous Decision

UFC: Glover Teixiera – Thiago Santos booked for the third time

by
Anthony Smith, UFC

The UFC is going to try to book a light heavyweight title eliminator for the third time. COVID-19 has had their way with this contest, but the promotion is determined to make it happen. This fight will determine who will face the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

For the third time, the UFC has booked Glover Teixiera (31-7) against Thiago Santos (21-7). Originally the two men were scheduled to square off at UFC Vegas 10 in the main event of the evening. However, Teixiera came down with COVID-19 which scrapped the fight.

The UFC then pivoted to book the fight for Fight Island. The fight was to take place on the October 3rd card. This time, Santos came down with COVID-19 and the promotion was once again forced to cancel the fight.

Now, per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the UFC is once again booking this fight for the main event on a Fight Night on November 7th. The fight will take place at the APEX in Las Vegas.

UFC Title Eliminator

The UFC will crown a new light heavyweight champion this weekend at UFC 253. Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will go head to head to determine who will be the new light heavyweight king.

The fight between Glover and Santos will crown a clear number one contender. For years, the light heavyweight division was ruled by Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. Because of their dominance, there wasn’t a lot of parody in the division.

Now, we will actually see some fluidity in the division. This weekend is going to be a big night for the UFC in crowning a new champion. This fantastic fight in November should generate an exciting number one contender for the first title defense.

Both Santos and Teixiera have fought for the UFC light heavyweight title before. Both fell short, although Santos came a lot closer to defeating Jones than Teixiera did. This should be a fantastic fight on November 7th.

UFC: Glover Teixiera – Thiago Santos fight off again due to positive COVID test (Report)

by
Anthony Smith, UFC

One of the more anticipated UFC light heavyweight matchups of the fall is going to be cancelled for the second time. Per a report from Combate, Thiago Santos (21-7) has tested positive for COVID-19. His October 3rd fight with Glover Teixiera (31-7) is off.

This is the second time that COVID has derailed this UFC title eliminator. Originally, this fight was supposed to be the main event of UFC Vegas 10 that occurred last weekend. However, Teixiera tested positive and they pushed the fight back to October 3rd.

Now, just weeks ahead of the anticipated matchup, Santos has gone down. We do not have any idea of what the UFC is planning to do just yet. If I had to guess, I would say that the promotion would plan on pushing the fight back once again.

UFC Title Eliminator

The main reason that I believe that the UFC is going to push forward with this fight is the title implications. There is really nobody else in the division that the promotion could pair across Teixiera to make a compelling title eliminator.

Last year, Thiago Santos pushed Jon Jones to the limit in their title fight. Many people thought that Santos won that fight. Santos has been out with a knee injury which is why we haven’t seen him since that fight. This fight could perhaps be pushed back to UFC 254 later in the month.

UFC: Thiago Santos – Glover Teixiera fight pushed back (Reports)

by
Anthony Smith, UFC

The UFC has lost it’s main event for it’s fight night that was scheduled next week on September 12th. Glover Teixiera (31-7) has test positive for COVID-19. First reported by Combate and confirmed by MMA Junkie.

With the positive test, the highly anticipated light heavyweight showdown with Thiago Santos (21-7) is being pushed back to October 3rd. Given that this fight was originally scheduled to be the main event next week, I wouldn’t be shocked if it bumps Holm – Aldana considering the interest in this fight.

UFC loses another fight to COVID

The UFC has done a fantastic job of putting on live events since May. However, the promotion has had to cancel a number of fights due to COVID-19. This one really hurts because the UFC didn’t have a clear fight that can take over the main event slot next week.

Likely the co-main event of Michelle Waterson – Angela Hill will slide up to the main event. While that’s a good fight, I’m not sure it’s a UFC main event. Fortunately, we will see get to see the UFC title eliminator between Santos and Teixiera next month.

Later in October on Fight Island, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will be fighting for the UFC light heavyweight title. The winner of this Santos – Teixiera matchup will be the first in line for the title. With the fight being pushed back, there will be less down time for the winner of the fight.

Does Bellator have a better light heavyweight division than the UFC?

by
UFC, Dana White

Last week, Bellator President Scott Coker made some pretty bold statements about his promotion’s light heavyweight division. He said that they had the best light heavyweight division in the world after Jon Jones vacated his UFC light heavyweight title to move to heavyweight.

After Vadim Nemkov knocked out Ryan Bader at Bellator 244, Coker doubled down on his claim that they were better than the UFC. “When Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight, clearly we have the best division.”

Bellator’s claim

The UFC also had an event this weekend. After the event, the media asked UFC President Dana White about Coker’s claims that Bellator had the better light heavyweight division. With a big smile, White replied to the media, “Isn’t he cute?”

Bellator has some very solid guys in their light heavyweight division. Nemkov, Phil Davis, Corey Anderson, Lyoto Machida, and others. You can throw Bader in too although I’m sure he’s going to be sticking to heavyweight after that fight.

Those are all very solid fighters, but the UFC president made a point that rings very true about their light heavyweight division. He stated, “Everyone they have in their light heavyweight division, we let go of. That’s like the dumbest f–king thing I’ve ever heard.”

Anderson, Machida, Bader, and Davis were all former members of the UFC that the promotion let walk. I understand what Scott Coker is trying to do with making his statement. However, I’m not sure the statement holds a lot of weight.

The UFC is better at the top

The UFC doesn’t have the same stacked light heavyweight division they once had, but it’s still the best game in town. Corey Anderson was ranked fourth in the UFC prior to him being signed by Bellator, but he was just starched earlier this year by Jan Blachowicz.

I believe that Dominick Reyes is better than anyone in Bellator. I also believe that the best version of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is better than anyone inside of Bellator’s light heavyweight division.

If the four best UFC light heavyweights (Reyes, Blachowicz, Johnson, Thiago Santos) fought the four best Bellator light heavyweights (Nemkov, Anderson, Davis, Bader), would you favor any of the Bellator guys?

The answer to that question is probably no. Bellator has a good light heavyweight division, but it is not better than the UFC‘s. This round goes to Dana White and the guys in the UFC.

UFC: Glover Teixeira – Thiago Santos to headline September 12th Fight Night

by
Anthony Smith, UFC

The UFC has finalized a big-time light heavyweight matchup to headline their September 12th card from the APEX. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, the UFC has finalized a fight between top contenders Glover Teixeira (31-7) and Thiago Santos (21-7).

Big fight for the UFC’s light heavyweight division

This is a big fight when it comes to pecking order in the light heavyweight division. Teixeira has seen a resurgence in his career since the beginning of 2019. Teixeira will be getting ready to turn 41 years old on fight night, but he’s rattled off four consecutive wins including a stoppage over top contender, Anthony Smith

Teixeira is trying to fight for one more chance at the UFC title. Teixeira’s one shot at the title came back in 2014 against Jon Jones. Since losing that fight, Teixeira has gone 9-4 in the UFC. A win over Santos would put him in prime position for one more chance at the title. However, winning is not going to be an easy task.

We have not seen Thiago Santos since he last fought against Jon Jones at UFC 239. Santos tore his ACL in the fight, and now he’s ready to return. Santos has looked like a completely different fighter since he moved up to 205 pounds. Prior to the Jones fight, Santos had won four fights in a row including knockouts over Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz.

A win for either man on September 12th could mean a shot at the light heavyweight title. The division is in flux right now while Jon Jones figures things out with the UFC. Dominick Reyes is likely to get the next shot or perhaps Jan Blachowicz. However, the winner of this fight in September will not be far behind.