The UFC returns to television screens just 4 days removed from Saturday’s event in Jacksonville, FL. Dana White continues the UFC takeover in hosting the 2nd of 3rd live events in Jacksonville this week. Tonight’s card will be headlined by a Light Heavyweight banger of a contest as Anthony Smith squares off against Glover Teixiera.
Fight Cancelled
The UFC received some unfortunate news this morning. After last night’s weigh in, Karl Roberson failed to make weight for his clash with Marvin Vettori. Roberson faced a tough weight cut, and was forced to be hospitalized as a result. The doctor’s ruled Karl Roberson out of tonight’s fight and the bout is cancelled. He’s expected to make a full recovery.
Marvin Vettori didn’t care.
Kevin Holland, fighting on Saturday’s card, stepped up via Twitter to fill the void on the main card. However, there’s no chance of that happening on this short of notice. Holland is scheduled to fight Anthony Hernandez on the Prelim card this weekend. Dana will most likely move a fight onto the main card to replace Vettori / Roberson.
The Main Card
Light Heavyweight Bout
“Lionheart” Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixiera
Anthony Smith and Glover Teixiera are set to do battle in front of an empty arena on Wednesday evening. This fight should present some fireworks for the limited amount of workers granted access into the arena. Both participants have plenty of rest going into this fight. Glover is coming off a decision victory over Nikita Krylov. Smith is relishing from a submission victory over Alexander Gustafsson. There’s a lot on the line in this bout for both fighters. The winner of this evening’s main event will catapult themselves into title contention in the Light Heavyweight division. It’s going to be a brawl and someone will end up on the mat staring up at the lights.
Smith Tale of the Tape Teixiera
#4 Rank #8
31-14-0 Record 30-7-0
USA Country USA
6’4 Height 6’2
205 Weight 205.5
76 Reach 76
W (Gustafsson) Last Fight W (Krylov)
Prediction: Anthony Smith via TKO (2nd Rd)
Heavyweight Bout
Ben Rothwell vs. Ovince Saint Preux
The Co-Main event will feature Ovince Saint Preux making his Heavyweight debut against Ben Rothwell. This fight has zero impact on the state of the heavyweight division. Both fighters are unranked in the division. Saint Preux is moving up for this fight and Rothwell will have a significant weight advantage (+25 lb). While I’d love to see Saint Preux pull out a victory, Rothwell might prove to be too much to handle.
Rothwell Tale of the Tape Saint Preux
UR Rank UR
37-12-0 Record 24-13-0
USA Country USA
6’4 Height 6’3
265 Weight 240
78.5 Reach 80
W (Struve) Last Fight W (Oleksiejczuk)
Prediction: Rothwell via Unanimous Decision
Lightweight Bout
“The Great” Alexander Hernandez vs. Drew Dober
Alexander Hernandez has won 2 of his last 3 fights heading into tonight’s contest. The loss coming to Donald Cerrone via knockout. However, his last fight was back in July of 2019. Hernandez may need to shake off some rust to avoid defeat. Drew Dober is riding high off momentum from his January knockout of Nasrat Haqparast. Dober has the edge in experience over Hernandez holding a 9-5 UFC record. Hernandez is balanced in his attack while Dober likes to throw hands. This has the potential to be an exciting fight.
Hernandez Tale of the Tape Dober
#15 Rank UR
11-2-0 Record 22-9-0 (1 NC)
USA Country USA
5’9 Height 5’8
155 Weight 156
72 Reach 70
W (Trinaldo) Last Fight W (Haqparast)
Prediction: Dober via TKO (2nd Rd)
Bantamweight Bout
Ricky Simon vs. “The Tazmexican Devil” Ray Borg
These two fighters are heading down opposite ends of the spectrum. After debuting in the UFC with 3 consecutive victories, Ricky Simon is on a 2 fight losing streak. Meanwhile, Ray Borg is on the upward swing as he’s currently riding a 2 fight win streak heading into tonight’s battle in Jacksonville. Ricky Simon is mainly a grappler taking his opponent to the mat. Ray Borg will bang, but can’t stop a fight. Every fight has ended in a decision dating back to 2017 when he lost a title fight to Demetrius Johnson via submission. This fight should go the distance. Grab a coin, pick a fighter, flip the coin, and choose heads or tails. There’s your winner!
Simon Tale of the Tape Borg
UR Rank UR
15-3 Record 13-4
USA Country USA
5’6 Height 5’4
135 Weight 135.5
69 Reach 63
L (Font) Last Fight W (Bontorin)
Prediction: Borg via Unanimous Decision
Heavyweight Bout
“The Pitbull” Andrei Arlovski vs. “Monstro” Philipe Lins
The Pitbull returns to the octagon for Fight Night 171. The ageless wonder Andrei Arlovski is still throwing down at 41 years old. Recently, the former UFC heavyweight champion has ran into a string of bad luck losing 4 of his last 5 fights. Philipe Lins, welcome to the UFC. Lins is making his UFC debut tonight. While it’s his UFC debut, Lins is an accomplished fighter. He’s on a 4 fight win streak, but hasn’t fought since 2018 when he won the PFL Heavyweight belt. Will the cage rust be noticable in the octagon for Lins? Who knows. However, what I do know is that someone in this fight might be seeing stars shortly after the bell sounds! Arlovski, you’re the man, and always will be in my eyes. However, the younger, more explosive Philipe Lins might have your number tonight at UFC fight night 171.
Arlovski Tale of the Tape Lins
UR Rank UR
28-18-0 Record 14-3-0
Belarus Country Brazil
6’3 Height 6’2
238 Weight 236
77 Reach 79
L (Rozenstruik) Last Fight W (Copeland) PFL
Prediction: Lins via TKO (1st rd)
Main Card possibility?
Michael Johnson vs. Thiago Moises
Michael Johnson has won 3 of his last 10 fights. Ugly! Thiago Moises is a submission specialist with his last few fights going to decision. Betting odds have shifted to pretty much even. Break out that shiny coin again and give it a flip. If Moises can get Johnson to the mat, it could be lights out for Michael Johnson tonight, and quite possibly his UFC career.
Quick Prediction: Moises via Submission (2nd Rd)
Enjoy the fights tonight folks! This card may not be as strong as Saturday, but it’s live sports action on the tube. Grab a beer, throw a wager on someone, and watch some MMA action tonight!
