UFC Fight Night 73 Preview: Glover Texeira vs. Ovince St. Preux

UFC light heavyweights Glover Texeira and Ovince St. Preux collide in the main event of UFC Fight Night 73 this coming Augus 8th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fireworks Expected

Considered as two of the hardest hitting punchers at 205 pounds, Texeira and St. Preux are expected to light up the event. St. Preux is coming off back to back first round knockout wins over former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Patrick Cummings. Overall, St. Preux has won seven of his last eight bouts including six by stoppage. His only loss during this winning run has been a five round UD defeat at the hands of Ryan Bader at the main event of UFC Fight Night 47.

On the other hand, Texeira is coming off back to back losses for the first time in his career. After losing to Jon Jones at UFC 172 in his first ever world title shot, Texeira was outmaneuvered by Phil Davis is a three round unanimous decision loss at UFC 179 last October. But despite those losses, Texeira remains one of the hardest hitter at light heavyweight with his 13 total knockouts.

Race to the Top

St. Preux had a busy 2014 with four fights, winning three all by stoppage. That impressive run, followed by a win over Cummins last April, has put the Florida native in his highest ranking ever at #6. Another knockout win over a former title contender like Texeira would definitely put him in title fight conversation.

Texeira meanwhile is looking to end the first two-fight losing streak of his career with a big win and nothing would be louder than a knockout win over St. Preux who hasn’t been stopped since 2009. Ranked higher than St. Preux at #4 by the UFC, Texeira is a win or two away from getting another title shot.

Who Takes This?

This is one of the closest main event bouts in recent months as far as betting lines are with Texeira a -110 favorite against the +103 of St. Preux. Both men are very good strikers with KO power. St. Preux is more athletic but overall, Texeira is the more fluid striker between the two. No doubt, we’ve seen St. Preux improve leaps and bounds but against a very experienced and calculated predator like Texeira, it might not be enough.

Texeira has been taken down 12 times in his last two bouts and if St. Preux can take him to the mat, he has a chance of winning by decision or submission. However, if Texeira’s takedown defense holds, he will pummel St. Preux all night long. The first two rounds should be crucial because who dictates the fight after 10 minutes should have the advantage. Texeira’s experience should be more than enough for St. Preux to handle. Experts are picking him to stop St. Preux late in the fight.