Light Heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz — fresh off a dominant performance over 185-pound kingpin, Israel Adesanya — will defend his title once more against a true 205-pound contender, Glover Teixeira, this afternoon (Sat., Oct. 30, 2021) in the ESPN+-streamed main event of UFC 267, which is taking place inside Etihad Arena on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Teixeira, 42, is gunning for his sixth consecutive win in what marks his second (and likely last) championship opportunity, losing to Jon Jones via decision in a failed bid at UFC 172 way back in 2014.
And Teixeira was somehow able to turn back Father Time, whooping Blachowicz in the first round and then submitting him in the second to deliver an incredible Randy Couture-esque performance.
Live updates will began to flow below the moment the two fighters made their way to the Octagon …
Teixeira, the stoic and sturdy challenger, was the first to make the walk to the cage, perhaps for the last time:
42 years YOUNG! #UFC267 pic.twitter.com/NimKRocV9S
— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
Then, of course, it was time for “Polish Power” to make his entrance:
That’s LEGENDARY Polish Power #UFC267 pic.twitter.com/wUP0AnTXxh
— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
And the pre-fight instructions:
Big fight feels! #UFC267 pic.twitter.com/HADfJeSV0z
— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
Round one:
Both fighters touched gloves and we were on our way …
Blachowicz started flicking out some low kicks, with Glover lumbering in with a combination that he used to secure a takedown less than one minute into the bout. Glover tried to do some work from full guard, but Blachowicz did a great job of fighting the wrist and keeping his arms wrapped up. He was able to free an occasional arm and land some short shots, but nothing of significance. Glover was messing with his face and neck, doing some dirty boxing-type tricks to irritate Blachowicz. He postured up and landed a hard elbow as Blachowicz tried to land from underneath and play defense. Glover continued with some hard elbows and punches, going to the side of his body and to the head to confuse the champion. Glover got his head in like a Muay Thai clinch to obstruct his breathing and Blachowicz bucked … he really didn’t like that move.
HUUUUUGE early takedown for @GloverTeixeira
[ #UFC267 | Tune in LIVE on @ESPNPlus | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/cNJiBbWlYp
— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
Round two:
Blachowicz, clearly down one round, started the second stanza with a jab. Glover tried to trap him against the fence, then he grabbed a leg, but Blachowicz was able to escape the takedown effort. Blachowicz was landing some nice shots, but he was moving backward because Glover was clearly looking to get the fight back to the floor. Nice uppercut from Blachowicz, then a sprawl as Glover changed levels. Glover caught him with a solid left hook that sent the Pole reeling, but he regained his footing and drilled Glover with a nice shot of his own. In the madness, Glover got the fight to the ground and angled for a kimura. It wasn’t there, so he took his back and flattened out Blachowicz. He was in a bad position — on his belly with Glover on top of him. He boxed the ears briefly, then sunk in a rear-naked choke that had Blachowicz tapping almost immediately. Perhaps there was an injury to Blachowicz’s jaw, but nevertheless … AND NEW!!!!!
UNDISPUTED CHAMP AT 42 YEARS OLD!!!!
[ #UFC267 | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/yyxWjAqexp
— UFC (@ufc) October 30, 2021
Final Result: Teixiera def. Blachowicz via submission in round two
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