Anthony Smith is going with the underdog in the UFC 275 headliner this weekend.
UFC 275 goes down Saturday night in Singapore as Glover Teixeira looks to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time against Jiri Prochazka.
While Teixeira is currently undergoing a career renaissance that saw him win the strap at 42, he is still 42.
And so, many in the combat sports world believe the younger, unpredictable and more explosive Prochazka will naturally come out on top and become the new 205-pound king.
Anthony Smith: If Dominick Reyes Can Take You Down, So Can Glover Teixeira
Not Smith.
“Lionheart” — who suffered a TKO defeat to Teixeira back in 2020 — believes the champion will not only come out on top, but also get a finish.
“As far as a prediction, I think I’m probably in the minority of people — I think Glover wins,” Smith said in a recent podcast. “I think he gets the finish. He’s really adapted his style as he’s gotten older. He’s a little more grappling-heavy. He’s definitely defensively responsible than he was in the past. I just go back to that Prochazka fight with Dominick Reyes. He’s very hittable, he’s wild and crazy and that’s why we love to watch him.
“But Glover is so fundamental, he doesn’t fight outside of himself. Maybe a year ago, I wouldn’t be saying this. But he’s just found a way to stay safe. Maybe his chin has deteriorated a little bit. He fought me, Thiago Santos and Jan Blachowicz back-to-back-to-back — all three of us are knockout artists, all three of us are heavy hitters and he was able to avoid that big shot and get to safe places. I give him a lot of credit for that.”
Smith also noted how Reyes was able to take Prochazka down in their fight last year. And if he can do that, so can Teixeira.
“If Dominick Reyes can take you down and mount you, Glover Teixeira should be able to get a takedown fairly easy and get a finish,” Smith added. “Especially with as wild and crazy and creative as Jiri Prochazka is.”
You can listen to the clip below:
"If Dominick Reyes can take you down and mount you, Glover Teixeira should be able to get a takedown fairly easy."@lionheartasmith gives his prediction for the #UFC275 LHW title fight 👀
Full breakdown w/ @ReneePaquette & @MieshaTate available now!https://t.co/0nJjK6g48i pic.twitter.com/c3piRweYPt
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) June 9, 2022
