Get ready to step into the heart of the octagon as UFC 267 looms on the horizon, promising an electrifying night of combat sports at its finest. With a lineup stacked with talent and anticipation reaching a fever pitch, fight fans eagerly await the showdowns that will unfold. In our UFC 267 Predictions blog, we delve deep into each matchup, analyzing fighters' strengths, weaknesses, and recent performances to offer insights into who will emerge victorious. From high-stakes title fights to heated rivalries, join us as we navigate the intricacies of the fight game and provide our predictions for this highly anticipated event.
October 30th, 2021
Ethiad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Main Card: 2:00PM EST
Prelims: 11:00AM EST
· Main Event: (Light Heavyweight Championship) - Jan Blachowicz (-270) vs. Glover Teixeira (+220)
Jan Blachowicz started his UFC career 2-4 and was on the verge of being released from the promotion. Ever since losing to Patrick Cummins in 2017, Blachowicz has won 9 of 10 fights including a current 5-fight win streak. The 5 fight streak Blachowicz is currently riding includes an impressive resume. Wins over Luke Rockhold, Jacare Souza, Corey Anderson, Dominick Reyes, and previously undefeated (20-0) Israel Adesanya. Blachowicz has improved his striking, counterpunching, and different fight styles so drastically that he is now the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion. Glover Teixeira is also riding a 5-fight win streak including 3 submission victories and has earned his 2nd shot at the title. With that said, I have a hard time picturing Glover coming out of this fight with the belt wrapped around him. Blachowicz slick striking and Polish power will be too much for Glover to handle.
Prediction: Blachowicz def. Teixeira (via KO/TKO)
· Co-Main Event: (Interim Bantamweight Title) – Petr Yan (-220) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+180)
Most people (including me) believe that Petr Yan is the real Bantamweight champion of the world, add his next opponent Cory Sandhagen to that list. In an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Sandhagen was asked if he will feel like the real champ instead of the interim champ, if he beat Yan. Sandhagen responded with “Maybe in this circumstance, I think it might. I think everyone sees Yan as the champ of the division, the best in the division. So I think, in this case, it will.” Petr Yan was beating current champ Aljamain Sterling with ease until he threw an illegal knee late in the 4th round and lost the belt via DQ. I believe that Petr Yan will be the Bantamweight champion for years to come, the Aljo DQ loss was a fluke. Yan made a costly mistake that I am sure he will never make again. Sandhagen is coming off a split-decision loss to TJ Dillashaw but many believe that Sandhagen should’ve won (including me). With that being said, this is a great stylistic matchup and has the potential to be fireworks. I believe that Petr Yan will be creating enough fireworks in all aspects of the fight to take the victory over a tough opponent in Sandhagen. This is the real title fight, Sandhagen will be a much tougher opponent for Yan than Sterling.
Prediction: Yan def. Sandhagen (via Unanimous Decision)
· Lightweight Bout: Islam Makhachev (-490) vs. Dan Hooker (+370)
This lightweight bout was originally scheduled to be Makhachev vs. Rafael Dos Anjos, but RDA pulled out of the fight due to an injury. Regardless of the opponent, Islam Makhachev will take care of business. Makhachev is the prodigy of Khabib Nurmagomedov and the next lightweight champion in the eyes of Khabib. Those are strong words to live up to, lot of pressure on Makhachev to perform well. Makhachev’s incredible wrestling resume/background is well known and the Dagestanian’s don’t play around. There is actually some past beef between these two fighters, as Islam claimed all the lightweights are scared to fight him. Dan Hooker responded by saying that Islam “copies Khabib’s homework but he’s no Khabib”. The two have been trading jabs on Twitter for some time now. With that being said, the beef makes for an intriguing matchup but I believe Makhachev will dominate from start to finish. Hooker’s City KickBoxing background and overall kick boxing skills could potentially pose a threat to Islam but I have a hard time seeing it. Islam’s wrestling and strength will be too much for the Hangman to handle. Much respect to Dan Hooker for accepting the fight on such a short notice (3 weeks) considering he just fought Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 on September 25th.
Prediction: Makhachev def. Hooker (via Unanimous Decision)
· Heavyweight Bout: Alexander Volkov (Odds TBA) vs. Marcin Tybura
I can see the oddsmakers having a difficult time with this matchup. Volkov vs. Tybura is a very even matchup in all aspects and styles. Volkov has the KO power and the ability to walk his opponent down and pick them apart which is what I think will make the difference in this fight, including his 6’7 frame. Volkov has 5 inches on Tybura which can really open up Volkov’s game. I would not at all be surprised if Tybura lands that 1 hitter quitter KO punch as seen in his fight against Walt Harris, and Volkov’s last second KO loss to Derrick Lewis after picking him apart for 14 minutes and 50 seconds. (Yes I know I should not be comparing anyone’s KO Power to Derrick Lewis, I should probably relax with that).
Prediction: Volkov def. Tybura (via Unanimous Decision)
· Welterweight Bout: Li Jingliang (+280) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-360)
Khamzat is finally back in the octagon! More than a year removed from his last fight (KO win over Gerald Meerschaert) and scary-long battle with COVID-19, it is great to see Khamzat healthy, in good spirits, and ready to “smesh” opponents. Khamzat is returning against a tough opponent in #11 ranked Li Jingliang. In a recent interview, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov had this to say about the upcoming fight between Khamzat and Li Jingliang, - “I think he (Khamzat Chimaev) is gonna win. I don’t think this guy (Li Jingliang) can stop his wrestling, pressure, ground game. Even in stand-up, I know this Korean guy – I don’t know his name – He’s very good. He’s good on his hands. But I think he (Chimaev) can take him down and finish him. I really believe. I don’t think he can stop him.” --- Well that pretty much sums up my thoughts on this fight as well.
Prediction: Chimaev def. Jingliang (via KO/TKO)
· Light Heavyweight – Magomed Ankalaev (-300) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (+240)
The first fight of the Main Card in Abu Dhabi is a banger between Ankalaev and former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir. Magomed Ankalaev is a force to be reckoned with in the Light Heavyweight division. Ankalaev is very quick on his feet and possesses vicious knockout power. After Ankalaev cleans out #8 ranked Oezdemir, I believe he should be 1 win away from a title shot. All of the top 5 Light Heavyweight’s have a fight booked in the near future or just recently fought, so it is tough to pick out an opponent at the moment. I could see a potential fight between Ankalaev and Thiago Santos or Dominick Reyes playing out if he wishes to remain active.
Prediction: Ankalaev def. Oezdemir (via KO/TKO)
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