[jwplayer wTTOGtKo-FLu19iir]
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC on ESPN+ 29.
UFC on ESPN+ 29 takes place Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card streams on ESPN+.
Anthony Smith (33-14 MMA, 8-4 UFC)
Staple info:
- Height: 6’4″ Age: 31 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 76″
- Last fight: Submission win over Alexander Gustafsson(June 1, 2019)
- Camp: Factory-X Muay Thai (Nebraska/Colorado)
- Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai
- Risk management: Fair
Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 17 KO victories
+ 12 submission wins
+ 17 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Well-rounded muay Thai arsenal
^ Effective at multiple ranges
+ Excellent clinch striker
^ Devastating knees and elbows
+ Underrated grappling ability
^ Uses frame/transitions well
+ Finishes strong from back mount
+/-Only seen scorecards 4 times in 46 fights
Glover Teixeira (30-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC)
Staple info:
- Height: 6’2″ Age: 40 Weight: 205 lbs. Reach: 76″
- Last fight: Decision win over Nikita Krylov(Sept. 14, 2019)
- Camp: Teixeira MMA (Danbury, CT)
- Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Risk management: Good
Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 17 KO victories
+ 8 submission wins
+ 19 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Solid boxing technique
^ Accurate right cross and left hook
+ Good economy of movement
^ Rarely throws self out of position
+ Underrated wrestling ability
^ Works well from single-leg
+ Improved getup urgency
^ Uses underhooks and turtles out
+ Excellent transitional grappler
Point of interest: Embracing the fire
The main event in Jacksonville features a fun matchup of light heavyweights who are very familiar with the fires of combat.
An experienced fighter for being just 31, [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] embraces more of a traditional muay Thai arsenal, bringing a well-rounded skill set of violence to the table. Carrying a menacing feel to the way in which he marches down his opposition, Smith is capable of making pressure his friend, using it to fuel his forward assaults.
Despite his long reach and frame, the Nebraska native does a deceptively good job at changing his ranges on strikes mid-stroke or combination, following fleeing opponents when appropriate. Favoring to fight on the inside, Smith keeps an array of unforgiving elbows and knees at the ready, especially when going into or off of clinch breaks.
Smith also has shown an improved jab in recent outings, using it to either set up or disrupt offense. That said, defense has not typically been Smith’s strongest suit, which means he will need to mind the returns of [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag].
A more traditional stalker, Teixeira will steadily come forward as he, too, looks to ply pressure, pushing his opponent back and forcing them to answer any time he can. Often starting with a lead right hand, the 40-year-old Brazilian will bait his opposition into exchanging with him, all while keeping his cleanup-hitting left hook ready.
Although Teixeira will seldom throw himself out of position, leading often from your power side is a tactic that is more heavily reliant on speed, something that tends to go with age. So, with that in mind, I will be curious to see if the Brazilian vet looks to lean more on his jab and under-utilized kicks in this contest.
Next point of interest: Battle of black belts