Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

UFC 267 Breakdown — Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira Rumble in the Desert

Get cher' mitts ready... Glover Texeira (pictured) meets up with Jan Blachowicz for UFC 267 Saturday in Las Vegas.
Get cher’ mitts ready… Glover Texeira (pictured) meets up with Jan Blachowicz for UFC 267 Saturday in Las Vegas. Saltywaves

This Saturday, UFC 267 features 11 champions and two belts on the line, with none bigger than the main event — Glover Texeira challenging light heavyweight belt holder Jan Blachowicz. 

In a case of two incredible late-career surges, Blachowicz, 38, will defend the light heavyweight division’s ultimate prize against Teixeira, 41. Despite their ages, the pair have proved they are two of the best light heavyweights in MMA today.

Recommended Videos

Blachowicz captured the title in 2020 with a surprising win over Dominick Reyes and, given his late evolution from journeyman to contender, many wondered whether this would be a short-lived reign. A unanimous March decision over reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya went a long way in suggesting the Polish slugger might be around to defend his title for awhile. Though Blachowicz opened as a 3-1 favorite against Teixeira, this is the kind of matchup that will test his well-rounded game. And a win against Teixeira would be a huge plus on his resume.

While Blachowicz only recently discovered his “Legendary Polish Power,” his experience also makes him a more polished and versatile striker than Teixeira due to extensive experience on the Polish Muay Thai scene between 2006 and 2008. In 2021, he’s also markedly faster than the older Teixeira, who can appear like he’s fighting underwater. 

Related Guides

Teixeira is still undeniably dangerous, however, packing enough of a wallop to shut the lights out on Blachowicz. He’s also armed with a new fight approach that’s led to a current winning streak. Some seven years removed from his first UFC title shot against Jon Jones, Teixeira is an unexpected rising threat to Blachowicz across the board.

After the Brazilian lost three fights over a five-bout stretch, it seemed Teixeira’s best days were behind him. Instead, Teixeira, like so many sporting veterans nowadays, found a new way to compete through hard work and evolution. By focusing on ground game fundamentals, Teixeira began to use grappling much more as a weapon. A five-fight win streak ensued, with four ending by stoppage (and three submissions). To go with this exceptional ground game, Teixeira’s heavy hands also remain very dangerous. Teixeira was the last man standing in slugfests against Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos in his two most recent bouts, winning through wile and wisdom, staying patient until the moment demanded violence. Blachowicz acknowledged that he has to keep composed during the pre-fight press conference.

“A lot of fighters make mistakes,” Blachowicz said. “When they hit him hard, they try to finish him too fast. He catch(es) them because he has a lot of experience, and he knows how to use it. I am ready for that. I will show how I’m going to defeat him on Saturday.”

A victory over Teixeira would have Blachowicz on his way to carving out a legacy as a long-time light heavyweight champion. And Teixiera would be a huge name on his resume. On the other side, the challenger Teixeira has a shot at cementing his UFC name by knocking off a champion and taking his belt. 

We’ll find out which is the better man for the moment in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

*Events kicking off in the Middle East makes for an unusual start time. Fights will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time, with the Blachowicz and Texeira to touch gloves at 2 p.m. UFC 267 will also mark a rare free pay-per-view fight fans, available in its entirety on ESPN+. With UFC 268 set for next Saturday, Nov. 6 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, UFC didn’t want to charge for a similar card this Oct. 30. All a fan needs is an ESPN+ subscription to stream the loaded marquee.

Read More: Rewatch the Greatest 25 UFC Fights on ESPN+ For Free

Matthew Denis
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Denis is an on-the-go remote multimedia reporter, exploring arts, culture, and the existential in the Pacific Northwest…
The classic blow up T-Rex costume is on sale for $24
An Inflatable T-Rex Costume on a white background.

If you need a last minute costume for a Halloween party this weekend, we’ve found the one for you. Everyone’s favorite inflatable T-Rex costume is on sale at Amazon. Normally priced at $81, it’s reduced by a massive 71% off, so it’s down to $23 for a limited time. Sure, it’s too late for this Halloween, but there are sure to be some parties this weekend -- and future events that will need a dinosaur appearance. Here’s what you need to know about it but seriously, just buy it -- it’s a T-Rex costume!

Why you should buy the inflatable T-Rex costume
All set for Halloween, right down to watching the best Halloween movies and the best funny Halloween movies? Of course you are. But you need to think about your costume for the future. It’s likely you’re wishing you want to do something different for 2025, so how about this cool T-Rex costume?

Read more
A ’90s Sylvester Stallone classic is getting a remake
The film was previously packaged with Stallone set to return, but has since been revamped.
Sylvester Stallone in the original Cliffhanger

Remakes have been a part of Hollywood for as long as studios have been around, but they have rarely been as popular as they are today. The latest classic blockbuster to get the remake treatment is reportedly Cliffhanger, the Sylvester Stallone action movie about a mountain climber who goes up against a gang of thieves who are hoping to recover their lost loot.

This reboot was first announced a year and a half ago, according to Variety, and Stallone was attached to star in that version of the project. Now, Stallone is out, and the remake will star Lily James, with Pierce Brosnan set to co-star. Jaume Collet-Sera is set to direct.

Read more
George Lucas cut a major reveal from the final version of ‘The Phantom Menace’
The film almost made a major change to the role of Obi-Wan
Liam Neeson and Natalie Portman in The Phantom Menace

The legacy of George Lucas's Star Wars prequel trilogy has transformed in the decades since they were released. During a recent interview with Iain McCaig, a Star Wars concept and storyboard artist, StarWars.com reported that George Lucas originally had a very different plan for the characters in The Phantom Menace.

In some versions of the story, the names of Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson's characters were swapped, so that McGregor would play Qui-Gon Jinn and Neeson Obi-Wan McGregor. This also meant that, in that version, the real Obi-Wan Kenobi died.

Read more