Watch the “Countdown” segment ahead of the vacant light heavyweight title bout between Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill at UFC 283.
Did you miss the debut of UFC 283 “Countdown” or just want to watch it again? Check out the main event preview now.
The segment takes a special look at the vacant light heavyweight title fight between former champion [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] and [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag]. The pair were matched up after Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev battled to a majority draw in their vacant title fight at UFC 282.
UFC 283 takes place Saturday at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC and early prelims on ESPN+.
“Countdown” goes behind the scenes with the two fighters, and you can watch the full segment above. And don’t miss the entire episode in the video below.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
Glover Teixeira was happy to be back in his native Brazil to kick off UFC 283 fight week.
The UFC is back with its first pay-per-view of the year, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.
UFC 283 takes place Saturday at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.
In the main event, former champion [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) and [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will meet for the vacant light heavyweight title. The co-main event will be the fourth fight between [autotag]Deiveson Figueiredo[/autotag] (21-2-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC) and [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] (20-6-2 MMA, 8-3-2 UFC) for the undisputed flyweight championship after they’ve gone 1-1-1 in their three previous encounters.
The first episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:
Jamahal Hill trains for a knockout win. Glover Teixeira enjoys his return to Brazil. Gilbert Burns maps his road back to a title shot. Champ Deiveson Figueiredo and interim champ Brandon Moreno prepare for a historic clash.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
Jamahal Hill is coming into UFC 283 with momentum.
[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] enters his first UFC championship fight on the back of likely the biggest win of his career.
Back in August, “Sweet Dreams” took on former UFC title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] in the main event of UFC on ESPN 40. It was a meaningful matchup in the light heavyweight division.
Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) almost went the full distance, but in the fourth round closed the show with a nasty TKO. The win improved his streak to three in a row and earned him a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus.
You can watch Hill’s win over Santos in the video above.
Teixeira hasn’t competed since losing the belt to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 275 in June. He was supposed to make a return at UFC 282 in December in a title rematch with Prochazka, but the champion was forced to pull out from the fight and relinquish his title after suffering a serious shoulder injury.
Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) opted out from taking on Magomed Ankalaev on short notice for vacant title, and the UFC ended up booking Ankalaev against Jan Blachowicz. The two fought to a draw, keeping the 205 title vacant, and thus opening the opportunity for Hill vs. Teixeira.
Anthony Smith doesn’t see Glover Teixeira being able to stand with Jamahal Hill in their vacant light heavyweight title fight at UFC 283.
[autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] doesn’t see [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] being able to stand with [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag].
Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) meets Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 283 headliner Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC and ESPN+.
Smith (36-17 MMA, 11-7 UFC), who originally was booked against Hill in the main event of UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11, will not only serve as a backup for the title fight, but he’s helping Hill prepare for Teixeira. Hill’s dangerous striking has put his past three opponents out and Smith thinks he’ll be too much for the 43-year-old Teixeira.
“Jamahal’s a dynamite f*cking striker and Glover is a little bit aging, is a little bit slower, and can’t afford to take the damage and speed anymore,” Smith told MMA Junkie. “I think we all know what that means. He’s made his money. His bread and butter in the later half of his career has been his ability to grapple and slow people down and push them up against the fence.”
Smith faced Teixeira in May 2020 and had a strong start, but Teixeira was rallied and inflicted plenty of damage on “Lionheart” before he got a stoppage in Round 5. Although Smith recognizes Teixeira’s hands, he thinks Hill will win if he keeps it on the feet.
“I don’t want to say it’s striker vs. grappler because Glover can strike – he’s got heavy hands,” Smith said. “I mean, he put me on my face one time. So I don’t think it’s that simple, but I think (if) Jamahal stays on his feet the whole time, I think we know how this fight ends.
“If he gets taken down and gets back to his feet, I think we know how this fight ends. I think it’s really just that basic. I think Glover has been very smart in the later part of his career. He’s done a better job of not taking damage, getting to his spots and controlling people, and Jamahal needs to not let that happen. I think it’s really that simple.”
Jamahal Hill and Anthony Smith executed on their plan to train together for UFC 283, and there is no ego involved.
[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] and [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] executed on their plan to train together for UFC 283, and there is no ego involved.
Just a few weeks ago, Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Smith (36-17 MMA, 11-7 UFC) were scheduled to face each other in the main event of UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11. But then the light heavyweight division turned into chaos, and everything changed.
Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz fought to a split draw for the vacant 205-pound belt at UFC 282 earlier this month, prompting the promotion to quickly rebook a new championship matchup between Hill and Glover Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) for the main event of UFC 283, which takes place Jan. 21 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC and ESPN+.
Immediately after the change was made, Hill told MMA Junkie he was going to invite Smith to train with him for a few days becauase they’d previously formed a personal relationship. The matter seemingly was complicated, however, when “Lionheart” was confirmed to be the backup fighter for Hill vs. Teixeira at UFC 283.
Both men could’ve respectfully declined the training proposal to avoid any awkwardness, because it’s entirely possible they could end up sharing the octagon at UFC 283 or sometime beyond that. Instead they moved forward and relished the situation, with Smith traveling to Hill’s gym for multiple days of preparation.
“It’s so weird to everybody else,” Hill told MMA Junkie on Friday. “It’s not weird to us at all. If something does happen and it does end up being me and Ant, we’re going to compete, bro. It’s what we do. We’re going to go in and it’s going to be a show. We’re going to embrace afterwards and have a drink and go and get some food and talk about it and talk about the experience we just had. People take fighting outside of this as one thing – this isn’t that. We’re trying to take care of our families. We’re trying to live life the way we want to and enjoy these things.”
Smith echoed the sentiments of his new training partner. He prognosticates that his services ultimately won’t be required in Brazil, so he doesn’t see the downside in making this move.
“It’s not weird for either one of us, because I know he’s getting to the fight,” Smith said. “And I know Glover’s going to get to the fight. This is two huge opportunities for two of the top guys in the world. Unless something absolutely crazy happens, I don’t see myself being needed. I’ll be there and I’ll be on weight and I’ll be ready. I think there’s other fights where it’s been like, ‘Something might happen here.’ I don’t think this is one of those situations. But we’ll f*cking cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Any personal emotions aside, Hill’s decision to invite Smith into his training camp seems like a brilliant one from an X’s and O’s perspective. Smith fought Teixeira at UFC Fight Night 171 in May 2020 in a contest in which he started strong, but ultimately succumbed to a fifth-round TKO defeat.
Having spent more than 20 minutes in the cage with Teixeira, there’s a tremendous amount of insight Smith can pass along to Hill ahead of the upcoming matchup, and he’s leaving no stone unturned as far sharing his knowledge.
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“Jamahal can already fight,” Smith said. “I’m not going to show him anything groundbreaking. It’s essentially just making him familiar so the first time he sees it isn’t when he’s in there with Glover – ’cause Glover does things a little but different and I had the same kind of shock when I was in those positions of things I wasn’t expecting, necessarily. It’s nothing crazy. It’s just making him familiar with those spots and giving him options. Just the experience.
“I’ve been in two world title fights. I’ve been in there with Jon Jones, and I guess essentially making sure he gets to enjoy the process. … If I could leave one thing that’s other than fighting here, it’s that you’ve got to step back a little bit and enjoy the process.”
For Hill, his first UFC title shot isn’t coming under the most ideal of circumstances. He was given almost six weeks of notice to prepare for the biggest fight of his life, but as UFC 283 looms closer, his focus gets stronger and his confidence grows.
“It’s been rough,” Hill said. “It’s been hard work. It’s been a grind. I was a little heavy, but me and my team, we get after it and it’s been good. It’s just work. It’s camp. It’s tough. It’s grueling. You start to appreciate it more you do things like that. (I’ll) present my best self on Jan. 21.
“Like Ant said, what he’s brought in is that: good perspective, good energy and good options. He showed me some things that if I’d felt them in a fight for the first time, it would’ve been different – just that. I’m having fun learning new things, getting a new perspective.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka doesn’t feel the need to rematch Glover Teixeira down the road, either.
[autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] doesn’t feel the need to rematch [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag].
After he outlasted Teixeira in a Fight of the Year contender at UFC 275, Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) was happy to grant Teixeira a title-fight rematch out of sheer respect – and to put on a better performance. But a severe shoulder injury forced him out of his rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282 and he relinquished his belt.
Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev battled for the vacant title, but a split draw resulted in no titleholder. The promotion opted to book Teixeira against [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] at UFC 283 for the vacant belt, but Prochazka isn’t sure if Hill should have been one-half of that title fight.
“I think that’s a good matchup,” Prochazka told CBS Sports. “I don’t know if Hill deserves that opportunity to fight for the title. But for Glover, it’s great because he will fight in Rio, in his home. So that, for him, is very good. I’m looking forward to that fight. I’m looking forward to their performances.”
Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) beating Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) could amplify a potential rematch with Prochazka even more, but Prochazka isn’t necessarily hoping for that outcome.
“For me, it doesn’t matter who will be the titleholder,” Prochazka said. “I know the title is mine and will be, and I will come for that.
“I just took that (Teixeira rematch) because I felt that Glover deserved that opportunity. It was not from my deepest motivation, but from my ego. I want to show a better performance and I was not satisfied with the first fight. I don’t need to fight Glover again. If he will be the champion, I will fight him. I will fight whoever. (It) doesn’t matter. It’s not about the opponent.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
Instead of being bitter about losing out on his fight with Jamahal Hill, Anthony Smith plans on making the most of the situation.
[autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] is plans to serve as an alternate for the light heavyweight title headliner at UFC 283.
[autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] will meet [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] for the vacant 205-pound title on Jan. 21 in Rio de Janeiro. Hill was pulled from his originally scheduled matchup against Smith slated for March 11 for the title opportunity, which left Smith without an opponent.
Smith (36-17 MMA, 13-9 UFC) has decided to be a backup for the fight in case Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) or Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) can’t make it to their matchup.
“I am. I’m going to fly to Brazil,” Smith said while working the ESPN desk this past weekend. “I’m going to weigh in at 205 pounds. I don’t suspect that these guys are gonna have problems, they’re both professionals, but if something does happen, I’ll be there to step in.”
Instead of being bitter about his situation, Smith has offered Hill a helping hand and will assist him in his training camp. Smith faced Teixeira in May 2020 when he had a strong start, but Teixeira was able to turn things around to batter and TKO “Lionheart” in Round 5.
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Having gone almost five rounds with the former champion, Smith thinks he can provide Hill some valuable insight.
“It’s not that weird to me,” Smith said of helping Hill. “He called me the Sunday as soon as the fight was over. His manager asked me Saturday would I be willing to and then I didn’t actually think Jamahal was gonna ask, (but) he did. We’ve talked several times over the week. I don’t think it’s a secret where Glover has the biggest advantage here. It’s gonna be on the ground.
“Jamahal Hill is fantastic on his feet, he’s dangerous, huge power in his hands. I don’t suspect Glover is gonna be standing with him for very long. So I have a unique experience with Glover. I spent five rounds with him. I’m a high-level blackbelt in jiu-jitsu. I think that I do bring a lot of things to the table that can help Jamahal at least in that facet of the game.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
For the fourth straight fight, Glover Teixeira is a betting underdog.
For the fourth straight fight, [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag] is a betting underdog.
Former champ Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) meets [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 in Rio de Janeiro.
Being an underdog is not unfamiliar territory for Teixeira, who wasn’t favored to win against Jiri Prochazka, Jan Blachowicz or Thiago Santos. Teixeira stopped both Santos and Blachowicz, and was up 3-1 on two of the judges’ scorecards against Prochazka at UFC 275 before he was submitted in Round 5.
At Draft Kings, Hill opened as a -130 favorite, meaning a $130 bet would be needed on “Sweet Dreams” to return $100. Teixeira is a +110 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the former champ would result in $110 with a win.
Hill is riding plenty of momentum after he knocked out Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Santos in his past three outings. The rising contender originally was scheduled to face Anthony Smith in the UFC Fight Night 221 headliner March 11, but was pulled from the matchup to face Teixeira for the vacant 205-pound belt.
After Jiri Prochazka vacated the belt, a new light heavyweight champ was set to be crowned this past Saturday when Blachowicz faced Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 282 main event. But a split draw left the division with no titleholder. UFC president Dana White called the fight “terrible” and decided to move on by booking Teixeira against Hill.
Jamahal Hill hopes he can usher in an era of stability by claiming vacant light heavyweight gold against Glover Teixeira at UFC 283.
[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] hopes he can usher in an era of stability in the UFC light heavyweight division by claiming the vacant title against Glover Teixeira at UFC 283.
Originally scheduled to fight Anthony Smith in March, Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was thrust into a championship contest against Teixeira next month after Saturday’s vacant title clash between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282 ended in a split draw.
It’s an opportunity Hill didn’t expect or see coming, but when it arose, he fully embraced it.
“I think they were still in the cage when they called me,” Hill told MMA Junkie on Monday. “One hundred percent, it was an immediate yes. I knew they had to do something. I sent a tweet talking about Anthony Smith and me for the title right after, jokingly, obviously, but still – I wasn’t surprised.
“I actually kind of like it like this. It’s perfect time. If I had my choice, I would’ve liked maybe a couple more weeks. But it is what it is.”
Hill put himself in position to get the fight with three consecutive knockout wins over Thiago Santos, Johnny Walker and Jimmy Crute. He’s shown to be a brutal hitter in the octagon, and on paper, many might think his best chance of winning is to keep it on the feet and put Teixeira’s lights out.
If anyone thinks that’s his only path to victory, however, Hill said a rude awakening is on the horizon. He knows Teixeira is a problem on the ground since he holds the UFC record for most submission wins in the history of the division. But Hill made it clear he’s not outclassed in any area.
“I see it like everybody else does: He has the same mindset that all y’all have – he just has to get me down and he wins a world championship,” Hill said. “I’m not here to convince nobody of nothing. It’s just my job to prove that sh*t wrong. … I’m itching for the challenge. I want to see if his game is really like that. People feel like I’m the only one that’s going to be tested, that I’m the only one that’s in for a test. Hopefully he comes in the same way.
“The plan is to knock anybody out. I like knockouts. But do I think like, ‘Oh my God, I have to knock him out. That’s how I win. The only way I win is if I knock him out’? F*ck no. I can win a fight every single way there is to win a fight, whether it be in the clinch, whether it be on the ground or whether it be just beating him the f*ck up.”
Fighting for a UFC title for the first time is a special moment in any fighter’s career. For Hill, though, it will be particularly unique. UFC 283, which takes place Jan. 21 and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+, takes place at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro and marks the promotion’s first even in Brazil since March 2020.
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The Brazilian fans are known for their hostility toward foreign fighters, and while that might be intimidating to some athletes, Hill is relishing it.
“That’s something to enjoy,” Hill said. “That’s an atmosphere and a feeling that most people will never experience. Most people will never experience that: a title fight, in Brazil, against a hometown Brazilian – all of that. People will never experience that. I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy it all.”
After the UFC failed to crown a new light heavyweight champion at UFC 282, there’s hope across the sport that UFC 283 can be the start of a new chapter in what was once the organization’s glamour division.
After Jon Jones vacated the title to make his still-awaited move to heavyweight nearly three years ago, there has been little consistency. Dominick Reyes seemed like he was going to be the next man, but then he got knocked out by a late-30s Blachowicz. Then Israel Adesanya failed in his bid to overtake the division before Blachowicz was submitted by a 40-year-old Glover Teixeira.
It seemed like Jiri Prochazka might be the guy after he won a Fight of the Year contender with Teixeira to claim the strap in July, but then he suffered a bad shoulder injury that will put him out for more than a year.
It’s easy to see the criticism of the UFC 283 already coming down the pipeline. Critics will say Hill or Teixeira aren’t the real champion because they didn’t dethrone Prochazka, but Hill isn’t buying into that narrative.
“Why wouldn’t I feel like I’m the true champion?” Hill said. “Right now, the man who won that belt, the level that he was at to win that belt, he can’t be at that level right now. So to sit there and be like, ‘He’s the true champion’ – he’s not at that level right now. He’s hurt. Let him heal, let him regain that level, then we’ll test that level. But as of right now he made a decision to take himself out and allow a new champion to be crowned. If I’m that new champion, why the f*ck wouldn’t I feel like the champion?”
If Hill is the man to emerge victorious from UFC 283, he said he hopes to bring the darker days of this division to an end. There’s already a queue of potential challengers ahead, from Blachowicz to Ankalaev to Prochazka and more. Hill wants to be a longstanding champion, and his chance to start that journey is a little more than one month away.
“That’s the goal,” Hill said. “That’s the plan. All I can do is just work, just go out there and see and try to make that a reality. I focus on the things that I can control, and it turns out that’s one of the things I can control.”
