Glover Teixeira lands a punch on Anthony Smith in their May 2020 fight
Glover Teixeira dominates Anthony Smith in 5th round TKO
The UFC makes a quick turnaround after UFC 249 with UFC on ESPN+ 29 on Wednesday, May. 13.
A light-heavyweight clash between Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira headlines the event at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Ovince Saint Preux bounces up to heavyweight to take on Ben Rothwell in the co-main event.
In the main event Glover Teixeira dismantled Anthony Smith in five rounds. After a dominant first round by Smith, Teixeira shifted his game plan and turned the tide completely on Smith. After a couple of monster shots, Smith kept going forward but the damage was obvious. A few of those rounds could have been scored 10-8 for Teixeira but Smith was determined to continue coming out at the bell.
At the beginning of the fifth round, Smith even told his corner that a couple of his teeth were coming out. Within 90 seconds of the final round, Teixeira gained top control and finished the fight with a KO.
Round One:
Anthony Smith comes out swinging early. He’s controlling the center of the ring at the early stages of this fight. Smith is establishing distance with his jab thus far. Teixeira has been a punching bag for Smith so far and round one. Teixeira accidentally hit a groin shot against Smith and a time out from action. Smith rags with a big right hand right out of the timeout. Teixeira starts attacking the legs of Smith towards the second half of this round. Most of the pressure is coming from Smith. This looks like an easy first round for him.
10-9 Smith
Round Two:
Again, Smith comes out landing combos set up by his jab. Teixeira has started to close the distance slowly as he gets more comfortable. Smith looks like he is trying to end this fight early. Teixeira starts to smother Smith and landed some big shots later in the round. Smith is starting to look tired now. Glover could’ve taken this round.
19-19
Round Three:
Glover tagged Smith with a big shot early and went to the canvas. Smith is surviving but barely. Smith starts to recover on the ground but both fighters are breathing deep right now. Glover is certainly winning this round. Unless Smith can mount some sort of comeback, this round could go 10-8 to Teixeira.
29-27 Teixeira
Round Four:
Glover struck early again in round four. Smith isn’t done but he looks like he is one more significant strike from a defeat. Smith went to the ground to extend the fight but needs to find something extra here quickly. Teixeira lands another takedown halfway through the round. I can’t say I understand it, allowing Smith a chance to recover. This has to be another 10-8 round.
39-35 Teixeira
Round Five:
Surprisingly, Smith comes back out for the final round. Tex gets a TKO on the ground within 90 seconds of this round.
Teixeira defeats Anthony Smith via TKO (Rd. 5; 1:04)
