UFC on ESPN+ 40: Santos vs. Teixeira predictions

The UFC is back in Las Vegas tonight as two light heavyweight contenders, Thiago Santos and Glover Teixeira, square off to remain in the title shot conversation.

All 22 fighters made weight without issue.

Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.

MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)

#5 CLAUDIA GADELHA (18-4-0) VS. #9 YAN XIONAN (12-1-0)

Andrews: I interviewed Yan and she said she’s ready for the takedowns and the grappling of Gadelha. Claudia has some good striking too and a good chin and the experience factor. Yan has the edge with striking. It comes down to Yan’s takedown defence. If it holds up, It should be a close fight and then Xioanan scores just enough points to eke out the win.

Andrews Prediction: Yan Xioanan via SD

#15 IAN HEINISCH (14-3-0) VS. BRENDAN ALLEN (15-3-0) 

Andrews: I am all in on Brendan Allen. Ian is good, but Brendan is a younger version of him.

Andrews Prediction: Brendan Allen via TKO

RAONI BARCELOS (15-1-0) VS. KHALID TAHA (13-2-0, 1NC)

Andrews: Taha is a finisher, but I think Barcelos grinds this one out.

Andrews Prediction: Roani Barcelos via UD

ANDREI ARLOVSKI (29-19-0, 2NC) VS. TANNER BOSER (19-6-1)

Andrews: I love Andrei but he’s going down. Boser ends this one emphatically.

MAIN EVENT

#1 THIAGO SANTOS (21-7-0) VS. #3 GLOVER TEIXEIRA (31-7-0)

Andrews: Santos could pile up the points using his striking or Glover could eventually get the fight to the ground and get the tap. Glover has used excellent game plans in his recent fights to do just that. Santos has a great fight against Jon Jones and his takedown defence is very good but on the ground, he doesn’t have much. I think Glover finds a way to get it to the ground.

Andrews Prediction: Glover Teixeira via UD

@kenaiandrews