UFC 283: Teixeira vs Hill – Preview

The MMA leader’s return to Brazil for UFC 283 will not only mark the first visit to the nation since 2020, but also the start of this year’s pay-per-view schedule. In the headlining bout, the vacant light-heavyweight title will be on the line. Former champion Glover Teixeira gets his chance to regain his belt, but heavy-handed contender Jamahal Hill will be looking to spoil the show.

That’s not all, however. The quadrilogy between flyweight titleholders will come to a close in the co-main. Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno will close out this historic rivalry by throwing down in the Octagon for a fourth time, with the undisputed 125lb title on the line as well.

Let’s take a closer look at this card!

DISCLAIMER: all odds were taken from the official UFC webpage, and are accurate at the time of writing.

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(#2) Glover Teixeira (33-8) vs (#7) Jamahal Hill (11-1, 1 NC) – vacant UFC light-heavyweight championship bout

Order will finally be restored at 205lbs, as the veteran ex-champ battles the up-and-coming powerhouse in Rio.

Originally booked for a rematch with Jiri Prochazka at UFC 282, former champion Glover Teixeira seemingly lost out on a title opportunity during the 2022 chaos. Fate has swung in the Brazilian’s favour, however, as he now gets a shot to regain his belt. At 43 years old, Teixeira is an anomaly in this so-called ‘young man’s sport’. His thudding ground-and-pound is where he’s at his best, but he can more than hold his own on the feet. Teixeira has a chance to overcome the odds once again, and if there was ever a man to do it, it’s him.

Jamahal Hill has been on a run since his first career loss in 2021. Three straight knockouts over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos have placed him firmly in title discussions, with his first shot to win a title coming this weekend. Standing at a whopping 6’4″ with a 79 inch reach, Hill typically uses his range to set up his boxing. He has dynamite in his hands, as is shown by the fact he hasn’t gone to a decision since 2020. ‘Sweet Dreams’ has been something of a dark horse recently, but the opportunity to etch his name into the history books stands ahead of him.

ODDS: Teixeira (+105), Hill (-125)

(c) Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1) vs (ic) Brandon Moreno (20-6-2) – UFC flyweight championship unification bout

The most iconic rivalry in flyweight history will finally reach its’ conclusion at UFC 283.

In spite of handily losing their second outing, reigning champion Deiveson Figueiredo turned things around in his last bout with Brandon Moreno. His signature punching power was on display throughout the 25 minute affair, courtesy of the technical improvements he gained under the tutelage of Henry Cejudo. Figueiredo has a slick jiu-jitsu game and his happy to show it, but it’s fair to assume he wants to keep this fight on the feet and sling leather. ‘Deus da Guerra’ has an opportunity to finally put a definitive end on this chapter, and he seems ready to capatalise.

Stepping up on three weeks notice to save a pay-per-view event has changed Brandon Moreno’s career forever. He used that opportunity to show that he was a championship-level fighter by standing toe to toe with Figueiredo, ultimately going on to hold both the undisputed and interim belts at flyweight. Moreno’s lone win in the series of bouts came by submission, and given the power discrepancy that has been on display, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the interim champ could try to bring this fight to the ground. Regaining undisputed gold would undoubtedly mean the world to ‘The Baby Assassin’, as he can once again bring the title back to his native Mexico.

ODDS: Figueiredo (-110), Moreno (-110)

(#5) Gilbert Burns (20-5) vs (#12) Neil Magny (27-10) – welterweight bout

A chance to explode into the title picture is up for grabs between two veteran welterweights in the feature bout.

Is there a welterweight contender more game than Gilbert Burns? He hasn’t been in the cage since his narrow decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev, where he pushed the prospect to his limits. The Brazilian is an accomplished BJJ player with a deadly submission game, but he has shown that the power in his hands is more than capable of finishing a fight. It makes Burns one of the most well-rounded fighters at welterweight, despite being somewhat undersized for the division. ‘Durinho’ might be one or two impressive victories away from a second crack at gold, and his chance at that begins this weekend.

A face that is always lurking at 170lbs, Neil Magny is hoping to finally crack the top five at UFC 283. The contender has been in the UFC for almost ten years, fighting a who’s who of welterweights and competing in several main events. Magny stands at a gargantuan 6’3″, which enables him to use his length to strike from the outside, should the fight be on the feet. He does, however, prefer to use his wrestling to get on top and control the opponent. ‘The Haitian Sensation’ was the lone fighter to throw his name into the hat to fight Burns, but only time will tell if he can make good on his promise of winning.

ODDS: Burns (-350), Magny (+290)

(#4) Lauren Murphy (16-5) vs (#6) Jessica Andrade (23-9) – flyweight bout

A former strawweight champion and a war-tested contender will square off for a second crack at flyweight gold.

Many fighters are left disheartened by a failed title opportunity, but Lauren Murphy is not among that group. The Alaskan came up short in her championship bid against Valentina Shevchenko, but rebounded with a gutsy performance against former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate. Her toughness makes up for what technical holes she has, and it often carries her through tough moments in her fights. Murphy is well-rounded, in the sense that she’s comfortable in all realms of mixed martial arts. ‘Lucky’ Lauren is in her position for a reason, and that’s because she can come out on top against some of her division’s best.

Only losing to those who have held titles since 2017, Jessica Andrade is one of the most underappreciated fighters in women’s MMA. The former 115lb champion has fought the very best across both flyweight and strawweight, holding the record for most performances bonuses in all of female history. She’s currently riding on the back of two stoppage wins, against Cynthia Calvillo and Amanda Lemos, respectively. Pound-for-pound, Andrade is one of the hardest hitters in the sport. ‘Bate Estaca’ is not far from a crack at a belt, if she can replicate any of her classic knockouts.

ODDS: Murphy (+360), Andrade (-450)

(#9) Paul Craig (16-5-1) vs (#12) Johnny Walker (19-7) – light-heavyweight bout

A pair of dangerous light-heavyweight finishers will open up the UFC 283 main card.

Having his unbeaten run snapped by Volkan Oezdemir was not the plan for Paul Craig’s second trip to London in 2021. The setback has only inspired the Scotsman to push forward and continue his goal of becoming a UFC champion. Craig’s position within the 205lb division is often overlooked, making him underrated. His submission ability is unrivalled at light-heavyweight, and it shows – thirteen of his sixteen wins have ended with a submission, excluding his triangle armbar of Jamahal Hill. ‘Bearjew’, with some impressive performances, may be a dark horse for a title shot.

Brazil’s Johnny Walker came back from a two-fight skid at UFC 279, where he tapped out Ion Cutelaba in just one round. Once heralded as the future of the division, Walker has fallen on mixed results in recent times, but his career appears to be on the up again. At 6’5″, he towers over the majority of his peers at 205lbs. It’s no secret that Walker will be doing all he can to keep this one standing, given that his power has led him to fifteen career knockouts. If matters reach the canvas, however, the SBG fighter holds a brown belt in BJJ. This win could be pivotal for kickstarting a title campaign for Walker.

ODDS: Craig (+145), Walker (-170)

(#14) Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-7) vs Jailton Almeida (17-2) – heavyweight bout

A highly-touted Brazilian standout has a chance to break into the top 15, but he will have to get through a Russian veteran of the heavyweight division.

A mainstay of the UFC heavyweight division since 2015, Shamil Abdurakhimov has fallen on hard times lately. His last win came almost four years ago, with inactivity and losses to hard-hitters sending him to the edge of the rankings. Despite all this, Abdurakhimov still has the skills to make it a tough night for any man stood across from him. He holds the distinction of National Master of Sport in wushu and International Master of Sport in kickboxing in his native Russia. Turning back a prospect like Almeida is be a tough ask of ‘Abrek’, but his top-level experience may prevail.

Very few light-heavyweights or heavyweights have received as much fan praise as Jailton Almeida. The 31 year old has finished all three opponents across his short UFC tenure, after also dispatching of his DWCS opposition. He has extensive competitive jiu-jitsu experience, which shines through in his performances, which sees him smother and strangle those in his way. His massive physical presence and strength could make ‘Malhadinho’ a title threat, but he has work to do at UFC 283 before he can begin those discussions.

ODDS: Abdurakhimov (+650), Almeida (-950)

Ismael Bonfim (18-3) vs Terrance McKinney (13-4) – lightweight bout

One of 155lbs’ most explosive hitters will welcome a surging Brazilian prospect to the big stage on the prelims.

Riding an impressive 12-fight win-streak, Ismael Bonfim will make his official Octagon debut at UFC 283. He has gone undefeated across an appearance on DWCS, LFA and the other Brazilian promotions since losing to Renato Moicano on the regional scene. The UFC brass obviously rate Bonfim quite highly, given the quality of his opponent. Only time will tell if ‘Marreta’ will live up to the expectations.

Terrance McKinney has been a name on many people’s lips since his explosive UFC debut in 2021, which he ended in just seven seconds. He has walked through every opponent since then, with the exception of a shocking comeback from Drew Dober. Most people praise McKinney’s striking ability, and rightfully so, but his ground game is criminally underacknowledged. He has finished eight of his thirteen wins by submission, including six rear-naked-chokes. ‘T-Wrecks’ seems to be primed for a big matchup this year, but he has a challenge ahead of him this weekend.

ODDS: Bonfim (-105), McKinney (-105)

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Which men will be leaving Rio with gold around their waists? Who will have the best performance of the night? Let us know in the comments!