Combat Sports

PREVIEW: UFC 283

Glover Teixeira takes on Jamahal Hill for the vacant Light Heavyweight Championship in the headline act of UFC 283. Josh Gaillard previews this and more below.

by
Joshua Gaillard
January 20, 2023

Glover Teixeira takes on Jamahal Hill for the vacant Light Heavyweight Championship in the headline act of UFC 283. Josh Gaillard previews this and more below.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

The first UFC PayPerView of 2023 heads to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as Glover Teixeira takes on Jamahal Hill for the vacant Light Heavyweight title was a rollercoaster ride.

Brazil has a spectacle on its hands, and the rest of the world is waiting with bated breath to receive it.

Glover Teixeira 2/1 | Jamahal Hill 69/100

After a career of major ups and downs from VISA issues to faltering at a world title in a matchup with Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira’s ‘never say die’ attitude is something to admire. His opponent, Jamahal Hill, also boasts his own backstory and his willingness to fight for the title so early on in his career, and in hostile territory deserves respect.

Glover Teixeira (33-8) considered retirement after two massive defeats to Alexander Gustafsson and Corey Anderson but wasn’t satisfied with his career. The 43-year-old Brazilian went to battle again and earned a five-fight win streak over tried and tested light heavyweights before defeating Jan Blachowicz to earn UFC gold strapped around his waist. Then, in a valiant effort, he failed to defend his belt in a fight of the year performance to Jiri Prochazka. He has the chance to bring down the curtain on a sparkling career on home soil.

Ready to upset the apple cart in Brazil, Jamahal Hill (11-1), finds himself with the biggest opportunity of his life. After five professional wins, the now 31-year-old found himself on Dana White’s contender series where he emphatically found victory. Also known as “Sweet Dreams”, Hill found success in his next two fights but faltered when meeting Paul Craig. A quick turnaround saw the title challenger find success against big names like Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker, and Thiago Santos all via statement finishes. Now, if able to pick his shots, and avoid pressure with neat footwork, he could kickstart a successful year.

Verdict: Jamahal Hill 69/100

Age isn’t on Glover’s side, but the know-how around the cage and experience have carried him to the cusp of the title. Fundamentally a pressure fighter, the 43-year-old tries to smother his opponent and finally bring him to the ground where his jiu-jitsu has recorded eight submissions in his career but doesn’t discard his control which earns ground-and-pound finishes.

A new face to the top half of the UFC light heavyweight division Jamahal will know that Glover is susceptible to big shots early on, and we know he can ‘crack’ his opponent. I expect Glover to unfortunately leave the octagon on his back, as many greats do.

Deiveson Figueiredo 91/100 vs Brandon Moreno 8/10

Two flyweights are set to collide for a record fourth time in the UFC. Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1) relish the chance to fight on home soil, while Brandon Moreno (20-6-2) will be desperate to make a statement. Each of Figueiredo and Moreno’s fights have been highly entertaining, and all were in an attempt to secure the flyweight belt. One win apiece and a majority draw sees this great matchup take place – One. More. Time.

Just a few weeks after a majority draw at UFC 255, the two champions ran it back at UFC 256 where Moreno was the victor via rear naked choke. Figueiredo was able to secure redemption in what resembled their first fight, as it went the full 25 minutes and was a razor-close fight.

After the win, Figueiredo needed time away from the Octagon as he dealt with injuries. That time away from competition kept him sidelined for the rest of 2022.

Moreno didn’t sit and wait for Figueiredo and fought for the interim belt against Kai Kara-France where he dismantled the New Zealander with a vicious body kick.

The two now face off for a fourth and final time.

Verdict: Brandon Moreno Win 94/100

There are so many paths to victory for both fighters. Deiveson Figueiredo has refined power in everything he decides to throw, nasty jiu-jitsu ability, and unrivalled strength in the flyweight division.

The pride of Mexico, Brandon Moreno, has the boxing skill of a purist from head movement to quick and tricky hands, while on the ground he is no slouch, and his gas tank and chin are a marvel to behold. This fight could really swing either way and truly, it is anybody’s guess.

The early rounds we have seen Figueiredo find success, and as time goes on, the cardio coupled with immense pressure fighting leads me to favour Moreno.

Fight of the Night Prediction

These two have left it all in the octagon on three separate occasions and every fight has not failed to impress. While the UFC 283 has numerous fights that will showcase brilliance, you would be a fool to think this is not the Fight of the Night – Deiveson Figueiredo versus Brandon Moreno in a fourth and final battle for the flyweight title.