UFC 179‘s co-main event features No. 4-ranked light heavyweight contender Glover Teixeira against No. 6-ranked Phil Davis.
Teixeira returns to action for the first time since his failed bid at the title against Jon Jones, and Davis is coming off a loss to Anthony Johnson. This is a big matchup for both contenders and their chances at a shot at the championship.
On paper this is a standard striker vs. grappler matchup.
This is one of the best matchups on the UFC 179 fight card, and may be the toughest to call. Without further ado let’s have a look at the keys to victory for both elite light heavyweights in this fight.
Glover Teixeira
Takedown Defense
This can be filed under the category “Duh,” but it deserves to be mentioned. Teixeira has excellent takedown defense, but when Davis is on point, he is one of the toughest wrestlers in the division.
Teixeira needs to keep the fight standing. He has good jiu-jitsu, but Davis’ top game will likely nullify any submission attempt from the bottom. He won’t be scoring points off his back, and the judges will award Davis the fight if he can stay on top.
Utilize the Jab
One of the best ways to keep the fight standing is for Teixeira to establish his jab early. It will create the distance necessary to defend Davis’ takedown attempts.
Keeping the fight standing will be paramount for Teixeira. The jab will start it off. Once Davis is forced into a stand-up fight, then Teixeira can take over with his superior boxing. He may not be able to stop Davis, but he will certainly score enough to take the win by decision.
Dirty Boxing
Davis will go for a takedown at some point, and when he does, Teixeira must score with dirty boxing.
Positioning will be key. Davis’ wrestling acumen will likely leave Teixeira with his back against the fence, but he can still create enough space to land shots in close. Teixeira must make sure to mix in elbows with his punches in close.
Phil Davis
Basic Boxing
Davis isn’t going to win any Muay Thai fights, but he can still use basic boxing to help him along the way in this fight.
First, he has to show off some of his boxing to make his takedowns less predictable. Teixeira is good enough to stop his takedowns if he knows when they are coming. Mixing in his strikes will make his level changes more effective.
Secondly, standard boxing defense will block a lot of Teixeira’s strikes. He is a solid boxer, but he isn’t an elite-level boxer creating unforeseen angles. The old adage of “hands up, chin down” will minimize any damage he may receive.
Be Relentless
Teixeira has shown that he can fade, and that is why Davis must be relentless.
Davis’ consistent pressure will force Teixeira into being reactive, and primarily as a striker he will lose power by not being the one coming forward. Pressure takes away a lot of the offense that Teixeira brings to the table, and as he wilts from Davis’ relentlessness, the former Penn State Nittany Lion will be much more successful.
Confidence
Against Johnson, Davis was visibly broken in the fight. He lost his confidence.
That cannot happen on Saturday.
Even if Teixeira stuffs early takedowns and scores with his hands, Davis must not break. He has all the tools to be a top contender in this division, but he must keep his confidence throughout the entire fight. It is not enough to talk about it pre-fight. He must carry it through each and every round.
If Teixeira breaks him like Johnson did earlier this year, all stock for Davis could be sold as a potential threat in the division.
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