UFC 172: Fight Card and Predictions for Jones vs. Teixeira | UFC Betting Sites

As the light heavyweight champion and one of the most dominant stars in the business, Jon Jones (19-1) will defend his title against Glover Teixeira (22-2) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 172 pay-per-view.

Jones is the pound-for-pound king of MMA right now, and he will be the heavy favorite against an unproven talent like Teixeira. While many casual fans don’t know much about the Brazilian fighter, his 20 consecutive wins are nothing to scoff at.

Here is all the vital viewing information for UFC 172, a full fight card and a preview of the main event.

Where: Baltimore Arena, Baltimore

When: Saturday, April 26 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-per-view (check local cable provider)

Live Stream: UFC.TV (subscription required)

Jones vs. Teixeira Main Event Preview and Prediction

Jon Jones has won 10 consecutive fights in his career. That includes six straight title defenses against the toughest the light heavyweight division has to offer.

While beating the likes of Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and Alexander Gustafsson proved how great Jones is as a champion, he is squaring off with a challenger that has the raw power and skill in the Octagon to pry the belt away from him.

Glover Teixeira has won 20 fights in a row (five in the UFC) and will be looking to cement his status as one of the best in the sport by cashing in on his shot at the light heavyweight title.

The No. 1 contender was asked about what he would do with the belt, and without skipping a beat, Teixeira proved he still had his sense of humor as the fight approached:

Jones understands the magnitude of the situation because he has been to the top of the mountain and currently resides there. The best have not been able to take him down, and he has developed a serious chip on his shoulder.

When asked about his unwavering confidence in and out of the Octagon, Jones told Mike Chiappetta of Fox Sports that he doesn’t mind being a bit arrogant as long as it helps him win fights:

I think I am. I think I am a little arrogant. I think it’s really important. The thing about me I say all the time is, I notice that I’m full of myself and I am arrogant to some degree, but it’s obviously only when it comes to talking about MMA, where literally, I do the wildest stuff. I don’t think I live like a celebrity at all. All my friends are normal people, normal dudes who do the most normal stuff all the time. But when it comes to MMA, there is a big chip on my shoulder. There is a way that I look at myself, and I think it’s really, really important. It’s something I’m not really apologetic for. As I get older and as I win more, I start to embrace it even more. The biggest thing is not to be apologetic for it. I realize it’s a big part of the reason I’m able to perform out there. The moment I let fear seep is the moment the fights start getting closer and closer. So yeah, I think it’s important to be an absolute believer and have that confidence.

It is clear that Jones has supreme confidence in himself. Even NBA analyst Reggie Miller is backing the defending champion:

Jones will need that confidence because Teixeira will not show fear in the main event. He has proven time after time that he is a smart fighter who is willing to take educated risks while pushing the tempo.

Teixeira has a great grasp of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and will counteract much of the wrestling skill that Jones possesses. There is no way to prepare for the unpredictable striking of the champion, but Teixeira has the power in his own hands and feet to devastate Jones standing up.

These two men are extremely well matched, but it will be the experience of Jones in the main event spotlight that gives him the edge. While both men have an incredible amount to prove on Saturday night, Alexander Gustafsson is waiting for them in the next bout, according to Heidi Fang of MMA Fight Corner:

Regardless of who wins the fight, it is clear that the light heavyweight division is the deepest and most entertaining in the sport right now.