UFC on FOX 19 took some significant hits to the card, but it’s still standing. It’s an opportunity for main event light-heavyweights #4-ranked Glover Teixeira (24-4-0) and #9-ranked Rashad Evans (24-4-1) to steal the spotlight with a good performance.
Both are looking for another crack at the title, currently held by Daniel Cormier.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
Courtesy UFC/Zuffa LLC.
MAIN CARD 8PM ET/5PM PT
#6 CUB SWANSON (21-7-0) VS #10 HACRAN DIAS (23-3-1)
Opponents Cub Swanson and Hacran Dias of Brazil face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 15, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews:The classic striker vs BJJ matchup. Everyone knows the ground is still Swanson’s weakness but it’s tough to get him there. Dias could do it though, but will he get caught first? I think he will.
Andrews Prediction: Cub Swanson via TKO.
#2 KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV (22-0-0) VS DARRELL HORCHER (12-1-0)
Opponents Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia and Darrell Horcher face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 15, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: Credit Horcher for taking the fight on short notice, but the Eagle will take this bout to takedown city and work a submission.
Andrews Prediction: Khabib Nurmagomedov via submission
#3 ROSE NAMAJUNAS (5-2-0) VS #4 TECIA TORRES (7-0-0)
Opponents Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 15, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: Tecia beat Namajunas back in Invicta and the key was her footwork. As much improved as Rose is, she still has trouble with good strikers. Angela Hill gave her trouble on the feet until she made a mistake that allowed Rose to take the fight to the ground. Torres doesn’t make a lot of mistakes though. I think Torres scores enough points and avoids the ground enough to take the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Tecia Torres via split-decision.
MAIN EVENT
#4 GLOVER TEIXEIRA (24-4-0) VS #9 RASHAD EVANS (24-4-1)
Opponents Glover Teixeira of Brazil and Rashad Evans face off during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at Ruth Eckerd Hall on April 15, 2016 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Andrews: Evans has not been impressive lately. He lost to Ryan Bader in his last fight, which was truly head-scratching after a good-looking TKO win over Chael Sonnen. Both guys have wrestling and I think it will come down to who wants it more. Teixeira appears to be the hungrier fighter. I think he will edge out Evans on points.
Andrews Prediction: Glover Teixeira via unanimous decision.
