UFC on Fox 19: Don't let main events allow Glover Teixeira vs Rashad Evans cracker to pass by, says Dan Hardy

British UFC welterweight and commentator, Dan Hardy, previews this weekend's main event action in Tampa, Florida

A win for Glover Teixeira will put him back in title contention (Getty/Zuffa LLC)

With so many big events on the UFC calendar, it's easy to get distracted and allow great Fight Night cards to slip by. This weekend is a good example of that. Fans all over the world are busy watching the Jones/Cormier saga unfold and wondering who out of McGregor and Diaz will fire the first shot before their rematch. It would be a travesty to neglect this weekend's event though. Headlined by former contender, Glover Teixeira and former champ, Rashad Evans, this bout list is loaded with as much well established talent as it is with new prospects.

After a valiant effort against Jon Jones, Teixeira fell short over five rounds and lost a unanimous decision. That defeat broke a twenty-fight win streak that spanned more than seven years. Sitting at number four in the rankings, a win over Rashad this weekend in Tampa would put the Brazilian right back in contention for another shot. Having stopped his last two opponents - one being Ovince Saint Preux, the man stepping in to face Jones due to Cormier’s withdrawal - Teixeira is already in good standing in the division.

I would imagine that ‘Glover Teixeira’ is the name you would dread hearing if the UFC matchmakers called you about your next bout. A tough and stubborn fighter with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Chuck Liddell’s coach, John Hackleman in his corner, you would be right to feel concerned. Teixeira is a handful for any light-heavyweight on the planet. Even Jon Jones couldn’t put him away, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying!

Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans has suffered from injury recently (Getty/Zuffa LLC)

But the man taking him on is no stranger to high-pressure fights. In fact, he has a knockout win over one of Teixeira’s mentors, Mr Liddell. After that win over Chuck, ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans took on Forrest Griffin and won the UFC light-heavyweight title. The following fight was against Lyoto Machida, and Evans found himself on the wrong end of a knockout, losing the belt as well as his consciousness. He worked his way back to a title fight, but then champion, Jon Jones, was too much for him and Jones retained his title. Since then Evans has fought sporadically, due to knee injuries and rehabilitation, which have kept him out for long periods.

I’m sure Evans feels like a lot of time has been lost and, while he’s been in the gym doing a lot of coaching, his own career has fallen into the background as new contenders have emerged. He will want to get right back in the picture and make up for lost time by taking out a high-ranking fighter like Teixeira. Evans is known for his relaxed style of striking and his good wrestling pedigree. He moves fast and hits hard, but has been outworked in the past by higher output fighters.


 Both Teixeira and Evans will have eyes on light heavyweight champion Cormier 
 (Josh Hedges/ Zuffa LLC)

Evans will need to strike early and either stop Teixeira, which has happened once in twenty-eight fights, or get ahead on the score cards. Glover can be a real grinder, pushing his opponents up against the fence and beating them up in the clinch. A fresh Evans is hard to take down, but a tired one could be dragged down to the map and suffocated with pressure. Two opposing styles, both with strengths and weaknesses, both with the potential to be a title contender again with the right kind of performance.

Earlier on the card we have some big names and some exciting contests. There will be fireworks in the headliner of the Fight Pass preliminary card as Manny Gamburyan brings rage and power to the party when he takes on recent title challenger, John Dodson. Another recent title fight participant, Bethe Correia defends the top ten against number eleven ranked, Raquel Pennington. And on the main card, Cub Swanson squares off against Hacran Diaz, and Rose Namajunas fights Tecia Torres.

There is so much more that I wish I could tell you about but, needless to say, this card is flying under the radar somewhat, but will undoubtedly deliver. Join me on Twitter to discuss the goings on @danhardymma.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Evans live on BT Sport from 11pm on Saturday and catch the Early Prelims from 9pm on UFC Fight Pass