Matchmaker Monday following two UFC Jacksonville Fight Nights
Jacksonville was very kind to the UFC as the city hosted three events in seven days. Following UFC 249, the Florida city was the host to two more fight nights.
The first fight night was held on the Wednesday following UFC 249 and then on Saturday the UFC completed their stay in the Sunshine State with UFC on ESPN 8.
Both fight nights had some great matchups and both showed that fighters can still compete at a high level at 40-years-old.
On Wednesday night, 40-year-old Glover Teixeira didn’t only defeat Anthony Smith, but he absolutely dominated the fight.
Then on Saturday, Alistair Overeem, who turned 40 yesterday, picked up a win over an emotional Walt Harris, who was making first appearance since his stepdaughter was tragically murdered.
After a few great night of fights, let’s find out what’s next for the men involved in the main events of the last two events on this Matchmaker Monday.
Glover Teixeira
Result: defeated Anthony Smith by fifth-round TKO
Next: rematch with Corey Anderson
Prior to the fight, Teixeira talked about how he’s only getting better with age. Well guess he proved himself right, as last night’s win puts Teixeira on a four-fight winning streak.
His last loss came in July 2018, when Anderson got the better of the two earning a unanimous decision win. Now it’s time for the two to run it back.
When you look at the top of the division, either Dominick Reyes or Jan Blachowicz will be fighting Jon Jones. Whoever doesn’t fight Jones will most likely draw Thiago Santos. With that being said, that leaves a top five matchup between Anderson and Teixeira.
Anthony Smith
Result: lost to Glover Teixeira by fifth-round TKO
Next: Nikita Krylov
Up until last night, Smith’s only loss at 205 pounds was a championship loss to Jones. Now he finds himself coming off a bad performance that will drop him out of the top five.
Trying to find Smith’s next opponent is a bit of a challenge. The top five in the division has some sorting out to do and he’s already beaten Volkan Oezdemir and Alexander Gustafsson. So with that being the case, I think Nikita Krylov fits the bills.
Krylov is currently ranked No. 10 in the divisions rankings and he is worthy of a big fight at light heavyweight. He’s 12-4 in the division and is coming off a big win over Johnny Walker. Prior to that fight, he gave Teixeira a good fight, losing by spilt decision.
Alistair Overeem
Result: defeated Walt Harris by second-round TKO
Next: rematch with Junior dos Santos
Happy birthday Alistair Overeem, who got another win on his historic career just minutes before he turned 40. Overeem still plans on fighting for awhile, as he still feels that he can win a UFC title.
If he’s going to get to that point, he’s going to have to through Junior Dos Santos, who Overeem knocked out in 2015.
Yes, JDS is on a two-fight losing streak, but he is still ranked ahead of Overeem. Both men are veterans and both of them are known to finish fights. The fight would make great headliner for a UFC Fight Night.
Only problem that may interfere with this fight is Overeem’s face was busted up again in his win over Harris.
Walt Harris
Result: lost to Alistair Overeem by second-round TKO
Next: Jairzihno Rozenstruik
While Harris didn’t get the win inside of the octagon, he won the respect of the world after fighting despite all that he’s gone through all over the past few months.
Following the fight, Harris said he’s not going anywhere and that he will fight again. So up next should be Rozenstruik.
Both men can knock someone out with one singular punch. It is a very interesting fight between two men who are coming off of loses and who will be close by in the rankings.
