UFC Light Heavyweight Bout: Ryan Bader vs. Glover Teixeira
Odds: ( +325 Bader / -450 Teixeira )
Betting Pick: Teixeira
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In the main event of UFC Fight Night 28, dangerous Brazilian striker Glover Teixeira will try to move one step closer to a Light Heavyweight title shot against heavy-handed wrestler Ryan “Darth” Bader. The last time Teixeira lost a fight was all the way back in 2005, but it is worth noting that his level of competition has not been as high as it could have been. Bader, for his part, has proven himself a dangerous gatekeeper at the top of the 205 pound division with his mix of wrestling, top control, and power punching. If Teixeira wants to take the next step toward a title shot, he’s going to have to find a way to keep this fight standing while also avoiding Bader’s big haymakers.
Ryan Bader is a tough and dangerous wrestler with a surplus of punching power. He’s not the most technical boxer in the division, but he throws with ill intent and all of his punches have fight-ending potential. His best work, though, comes when he takes opponents down, controls them from top position, and bruises them up with ground and pound. Against Teixeira he is definitely going to need to find a way to get this fight to the ground as early as possible. He certainly has knockout power, but I don’t think he stands much of a chance if he has to stand and trade with Teixeira for an extended period.
Glover Teixeira was a highly-regarded striker before making his UFC debut, and since his first appearance in the Octagon has shown why his skills were held in such high regard. Teixeira’s striking has an amazing mix of power and technique, and he overwhelms opponents with accuracy and hand speed. One thing that makes this fight interesting is the fact that Teixeira’s ability to work off his back hasn’t been tested at a high level. Bader clearly has the wrestling prowess to take Teixeira down, so it will be interesting to see how he responds to being put in a bad position.
Ultimately, I think this matchup favors Teixeira. He hasn’t faced a wrestler like Bader in recent years, but he has a lot of experience fighting larger and stronger opponents which should help him deal with Bader’s grappling and physical strength. On the feet, this shouldn’t be much of a contest. Teixeira is really strong in the standup, and I think the fear of his punching is going to make Bader more tentative when setting up his takedowns. In the end, I don’t like Bader’s chances of lasting the full length against a puncher of Teixeira’s ability.
Prediction: Glover Teixeira by T/KO.
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