I believe it’s mainly about each imposing their will and forcing the other to play their game, but this is probably a toss up. I honestly am not confident in my pick as they both have legitimate avenues to win. Yan’s more traditional pressure and clinch game is so good and tight, while Sandhagen will try to move and land creative shots from the outside. Staff picking Blachowicz: Anton, Stephie, Mookie, Zane, DayneĪnton Tabuena: This is such a great fight, and will be a very intriguing clash on the feet. Can Teixeira find more surprising success after getting rocked against a man with a jab like Jan’s? I’m not banking on it. And of all his recent opponents, Blachowicz is by far the most composed and consistent. Teixeira’s recent win streak is remarkable, considering his already long tenure in the cage-but it’s also involved him getting hurt, badly, at least once in almost every bout. And in recent years, that’s been a riskier and riskier proposition. He always likes to box his way into range and set up his takedowns. But, that’s never really been Glover’s way, even when he’s won by out-wrestling people. Zane Simon: There’s a path for Glover to make this a very boring fight, something like the Jacare/Blachowicz bout, if he wants to just lean on trying to wrestle exclusively with the champ.
Blachowicz can crack and Teixeira’s habit of getting hurt early in fights may have serious consequences against Big Jan. I’d love for Glover to win but if he can’t get past Blachowicz’s jab and he can’t get him on his back where he can grapple, then he’ll have very few options to win this fight. And I don’t mean that in a negative way, it’s just crazy to think this is legitimately for a UFC belt given Jan’s UFC start and Teixeira being 42 years old. Mookie Alexander: Hard to imagine that this is a light heavyweight title fight in 2021. Blachowicz is such a talented and dangerous fighter, and this is his fight to lose. On the ground, maybe Glover has a chance if he gets on top? I don’t know if he can get - and keep - him there though. Blachowicz is more technical and more potent on the feet. That being said, I’m not very confident in his chances.
It’s actually inspiring that someone can defy the odds and show that getting up in age doesn’t always matter. For example, if Phil Mackenzie entered all of his predictions on Wednesday without adding in any explanations, he has no idea if he’s going to be the only one siding with one fighter for any given fight.Īnton Tabuena: I’m glad Teixeira got to fight his way to the top and earn another well deserved title shot at 42-years-old. Explanations behind each pick are not required and some writers opt not to do so for their own reasons. Note: Predictions are entered throughout the week and collected the day before the event. To see the latest betting lines for these fights, head over to DraftKings SportsBook. As for the co-main event, only Anton Tabuena is picking Cory Sandhagen to take the interim bantamweight title over Petr Yan.
The Bloody Elbow staff has made its picks for Saturday’s UFC 267 card in Abu Dhabi, and it’s a clean sweep for Jan Blachowicz to defend his light heavyweight title over Glover Teixeira.