UFC 172: Jones vs Teixeira Main Card Preview

The polarizing, but undeniably brilliant Jon Jones will seek to defend his light-heavyweight title for a staggering seventh time on Saturday night at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, when he takes on the ever-impressive Glover Teixeira in a bout that has largely failed to grip the public imagination, and feels like a obligated precursor to the champion’s rematch with Alexander Gustafsson.

In the co-main event the returning Anthony Johnson meets the talented, if underwhelming Phil Davis for what, on paper at least, looks a far more competitive contest. If either man can produce a convincing win, a chance to fight for the belt may well be in the offing.

Prior to his victory over Gustaffson last September, the residual doubt-if there ever really was one-over Jon Jones was whether or not he could persevere in a war of attrition, such was the seamless way he had dispatched all his opponents to that point. He unquestionably quelled those misgivings against the Swede, proving beyond reasonable doubt that he is the greatest fighter on the planet.

If Glover Teixeira can force him to once more dig so deep remains to be seen, but it feels unlikely. For all attributes, of which there are many, the Brazilian does not have the physical dimensions to trouble Jones. To utilise his superior punching power he’ll have to get inside Jones’ huge reach, but simply doesn’t have the mobility to do so. Anything can happen inside the octagon, but it seems unfathomable that the grisly pretender will usurp King Jon.

Correctly released by the UFC for his inability to make 170 or 185lbs, Anthony Johnson begins his second stint with the promotion as a light heavyweight, on the back of a five-fight winning streak. How man of his bulk ever streamlined his frame to such a degree defies all reason and logic, but he now looks to the best ever version of ‘Rumble’.

Phil Davis, since his ultra-controversial victory over Lyoto Machida, has spent a boggling amount of time berating Jon Jones, in what looks like crude attempt to hype a fight that might not ever happen.  For his own sake, he should turn all his focus to the here and now.

Davis is a better wrestler and more technically sound, however, Johnson has the type of power in all four limbs that simply cannot be accounted for. Considering this, if it goes the distance Davis should prevail, but if it ends early, the Johnson 2.0 era will have started with a bang.

Tim Boetsch and Luke Rockhold are just two of a long line of middleweights looking to standout in a division that still seems unsettled without Anderson Silva at its summit. Rockhold has lost just twice in his career, the second time being his UFC debut, when a chemically-aided Vitor Belfort almost removed his head.

The AKA export will look to kick on from his victory over Costa Philippou by dispatching of the recently inconsistent Boetsch. Both are powerful and tenacious competitors, but Rockhold’s all round game is just that bit more complete-a definite contender for Fight of the Night.

On just one week’s notice, Yancy Medeiros will take the place of the injured Bobby Green, and go toe-to-toe with the teak-tough Jim Miller. Medeiros has had a difficult time since crossing over from Strikeforce; he incurred his ever first loss in his UFC debut at the hands of Rustam Khabilov, thanks to a thumb injury and his last bout, against Yves Edwards, was declared a no-contest. If he can bounce back against the ultra-experienced Miller, it would be just the fillip his career needs, but it’s a big ask.

Kicking off the main card are featherweight tyros Max Holloway and Andre Fili. The latter has lost just once in his professional career, and makes his sophomore appearance for the UFC, having finished Jeremy Larsen via TKO in his first outing last October, while Holloway beat Will Chope in identical fashion back in January. Arguably, 145lbs is the sport’s most stacked weight class so, for both, it’s a case of wash, rinse and repeat.