UFC 267 LIVE: Blachowicz vs Teixeira fight result plus Khamzat Chimaev reaction tonight
Re-live all the action from ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, where two titles were on the line
Glover Teixeira completed his fairytale run to the UFC light heavyweight title on Saturday night, submitting Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC 267 to become the second oldest champion in the company’s history.
Two days after turning 42, Teixeira finished Blachowicz with a neck crank in the second round, capping off an enthralling card on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi. The Brazilian had previously challenged for the belt in 2014, when he was outpointed by Jon Jones, and his recent five-fight win streak seemed to represent a race against time to make one last run at the gold. And Teixeira produced a stunning display in the Etihad Arena to beat Blachowicz, the finish seeing the challenger take down the champion, before easing into mount position, taking his opponent’s back and flattening him out. From there, the Brazilian locked in a neck crank that forced Blachowicz to tap out immediately.
In the evening’s co-main event, Petr Yan outpointed Cory Sandhagen to win the interim bantamweight title, and elsewhere on the card, rising star Khamzat Chimaev returned after a 13-month absence to secure his fourth stoppage win from as many UFC outings. The Russian-born Swede, who had suffered badly from Covid-19 over the last year, submitted Li Jingliang in the first round of their contest, with the Chinaman passing out in a rear naked choke.
Re-live the UFC 267 main card and prelims below.
UFC 267 – Volkov def. Tybura
Volkov def. Tybura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The Russian ends Tybura’s five-fight win streak! A fairly slow bout but with its moments.
Volkov says he’s probably the “happiest man in the world” right now, having celebrated the birth of a son a few days ago.
This is his 34th career win in MMA!
UFC 267 – Volkov vs Tybura
Round 3
Volkov has stuffed all 14 takedown attempts, but he’s tiring and is starting to get out-landed in the striking exchanges.
The Russian strings together a series of clean counters, though! Tybura responds by clinching his opponent against the fence yet again, but Volkov separates once more.
UFC 267 – Volkov vs Tybura
Round 2
Tybura again forces Volkov back to the fence then fires off punches to the body.
He looks for a double-leg takedown but Volkov frees himself. The pair are back in space.
Tybura is by far the more active fighter right now. He swings a hard kick to the body of Volkov.
UFC 267 – Volkov vs Tybura
Round 1
Lots of competitive exchanges at close range early on.
Tybura entered this bout on the back of two straight stoppage wins – can he make it three in a row here? His overall win streak is five.
Some subtle stance-switching from the Pole, who shoots on the tall Russian and drives him back to the fence.
Volkov is able to separate, though Tybura soon shoots for another takedown attempt.
Volkov stuffs it and just flattens Tybura! Little action now with the Russian on top.
UFC 267
Next up is a heavyweight clash between Russia’s Alexander Volkov and Poland’s Marcin Tybura!
UFC 267 – Chimaev def. Jingliang
Chimaev def. Jingliang via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 3:16).
Chimaev is 10-0 with 10 finishes. He has only absorbed one strike in his four UFC fights.
He shares a laugh with ‘The Leech’, then tells Daniel Cormier: “He sleep.”
UFC 267 – Chimaev vs Jingliang
Round 1
Chimaev takes the back and flattens out ‘The Leech’.
He’s pouring punches down on the Chinaman...
It creates an opening for Chimaev to lock in a rear naked choke! It’s in deep...
Somehow Jingliang survives and even briefly escapes, but Chimaev locks it in again and this time ‘The Leech’ goes to sleep!!
Any doubters left? Chimaev is the real deal.
UFC 267 – Chimaev vs Jingliang
Round 1
Chimaev is striding side-to-side and laughing at Jingliang. The crowd love it. Boos for ‘The Leech’, meanwhile.
We’re under way.
Immediately Chimaev shoots for a double-leg takedown. Jingliang defends it well, but Chimaev gets a rear body lock.
All the while he’s talking to UFC president Dana White through the fence! He dumps Jingliang to the mat and fires off punches to the head and body.
UFC 267
Chimaev had a weight-cut scare this week, but successfully weighed in at 171lbs on his second attempt.
A great wrestler with power in his hands and a cold, confident attitude, Chimaev has really connected with MMA fans – as shown by the cheers now as he enters the Octagon.
Jingliang marks a step up in competition for the 27-year-old, however. ‘The Leech’ is making his way to the ring now.
UFC 267
Next up is one of the most highly-anticipated bouts of the night.
Unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev returns after 13 months out, taking on ‘The Leech’ Li Jingliang.
Russian-born Swede Chimaev made his UFC debut last year and secured three wins at two weight classes in two months. All three victories came via stoppage.
The wins came at middleweight and welterweight, and tonight’s fight takes place at the latter.
Chimaev was out for a while as he was suffering badly from Covid-19, and the rising star will be keen to regain momentum against his Chinese opponent here.
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