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.

After their fight scratch Marvin Vettori *WENT AFTER* Karl Roberson in the fighter hotel. 😲#UFCJAX | Details: https://t.co/LJXLdWlyWd pic.twitter.com/AHx5vBhaVz

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) May 13, 2020

 

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.

. @TheJamesKrause stepped up on weigh in day. I’ll step up on fight day. Put me in coach! @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite I’m for real. I’ll@fight tnight and Saturday. @MarvinVettori gave me the stank eye in the hotel. Let’s go bucko! #ufc pic.twitter.com/D3GRkXgEwU

— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) May 13, 2020

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!