The UFC on FOX 6 co-main event will feature a light heavyweight matchup between former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and rising contender Glover Teixeira. Jackson has been outspoken about this being his last UFC fight, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can go out with a bang. Let’s see how this one breaks down.
Glover Teixeira (19-2) comes into this fight off his TKO win over Fabio Maldonado at UFC 153. Teixeira is a training partner of former champion Chuck Liddell and has won 17 consecutive fights. He has won 12 fights via TKO/KO and five fights via submission. He’s well rounded with good power and is dangerous on the ground as well. He has fought decent competition but Jackson will be his toughest test to date.
Rampage Jackson (32-10) comes into this fight off the unanimous decision loss to Ryan Bader at UFC 144. Jackson and Teixeira were originally supposed to fight at UFC 153, but Jackson withdrew from the bout with an injury. Jackson has won 14 fights via TKO/KO, and prefers to use his boxing skills to do damage to his opponents nowadays. He has good takedown defense, but has become fairly one dimensional in his offensive attacks over the past couple of years. It will be nearly one year since he last fought when he steps into the octagon on Saturday night.
I’ve found Rampage Jackson as high as a +240 betting underdog going into this fight which is pretty outrageous in my opinion. I would certainly put a small wager on his at those odds.
Jackson will likely look to keep the fight on the feet and strike with Teixeira, and Teixeira will likely look to stand while picking opportunities to close the gap and potentially take Jackson down. Jackson has arguably the best boxing defense in MMA and has a granite chin which will make it difficult for Teixeira to put him away via TKO/KO. However, the long layoff could be a factor and allow Teixeira to take down a tired Jackson late in the fight and win via submission.
I also expect Teixeira to attack with leg kicks as Jackson still hasn’t shown that he’s able to check leg kicks effectively over the years. He’ll enjoy a few inches in reach advantage and is usually fairly aggressive in his attacks which could favor Jackson who loves to counter-punch his opponents.
If Rampage is in shape I certainly think he can win this fight. Teixeira has been knocked once, but that was in his first professional MMA fight. Also, Jackson hasn’t knocked anybody out since UFC 92 when he laid Wanderlei Silva out with a left hook from hell. We also can’t discount the motion of Jackson wanting to go out of the UFC on a high note if this is indeed his UFC swan song.
I think he’ll be difficult for Teixeira to take down, and the aggressive style of his will suit Jackson just fine. If Jackson tires in the fight it’ll be a prime opportunity for Teixeira to make a move, but he hasn’t gone the distance in a fight in over two year.
I like Jackson in this fight via decision.
[…] UFC on FOX 6 preview: Can Rampage Jackson exit UFC on high note against Glover Teixeira? […]