UFC 283 is the first PPV of 2023, and we’re starting in Brazil! Two title fights will headline this weekend, and a well-known Scotsman will fight for title contention. Let’s break down five reasons to watch this weekend’s event.
No One on The List
Glover Teixeira will be fighting to claim back the UFC light heavyweight title against contender Jamahal Hill after Jiri Prochazka vacated the belt in December and an inconclusive bout between Jan Blachowiz and Magomed Ankalaev.
At 43 years of age, Teixeira will once again be fighting for the title in front of his fan in Brazil, Teixeira winning the title in front of his home fans will be something you do not want to miss, let alone this high-stakes match-up. Hill has recently been on a rampage through the division, knockout after knockout, and this is the moment to make it all count. One mistake from Teixeira and Hill has the power to one-punch knockout Teixeira, but one miss calculation from Jamahal and Teixeira will submit him in a heartbeat. High stakes for both men. Lots of ways this fight can go. We’ll have to wait and see.
Flyweights Making History Second Place
If you look through the illustrious 30 years of the UFC, you’ll never find a rivalry quite like this one. Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figuerido have fought three times since December 2020. One win to Moreno. One win to Figuerido and one draw. These two men have spent over an hour in the octagon together, collecting data on one another, trying to outmatch the other. This fourth fight will be the first time in UFC history the same fighters have fought four times against each other. We know one another can’t out-skill one another. This fight comes down to who can make better gameplay. Who has more cardio? Who has more heart? Saturday night, we’ll find out.
In Third Paul Craig Makes His Return
Back in July, Paul Craig had a rough night at the office against Volkan Oezdermir at UFC London. Seeing Craig walk out on home soil was incredible, but unfortunately, a triangle choke didn’t get him the win that night and left many of us wondering how he would come back. Having signed a new 6-fight contract and moving gyms, Paul seems rejuvenated and ready to prove himself against the Brazilian Johnny Walker in the main card opener.
Walker coming off a submission win over Ion Cutelaba in September and now facing Craig raises questions for both men to face. Is Walker feeling confident enough to hang with Craig on the ground, which is a territory Craig is known for dominating? Craig also told Michael Bisping that he had found confidence in his striking again, so can Craig’s confidence win him the fight against a wild and unpredictable Walker? Only time will tell.
Can Gilbert Burns Fend off the Rising Contender at Fourth Place?
As the feature fight of the evening, Gilbert Burns will be facing off against Neil Magny. As of late Magny has been on a winning streak fending off rising contenders in the welterweight division, resulting him owning the title of most wins in welterweight history.
Last April, Burns went to war against Khamzat Chimaev in a fight of the year contender but came out the loser of that contest. With his title fight dreams slipping away from him, he has to prove why he’s the 5th best welterweight in the world by beating Magny. Burns is a multiple-time BJJ world champion and has powerful hands, so my question is can Magny hang with Burns on the feet? The former champion Kamaru Usman got dropped multiple times in his fight with Burns’ so It’s interesting to see how it plays out on the feet. Maybe Magny will be too much for Burns on the feet and make Burns shoot for a takedown? UFC 283, we find out.
Fifth Place, A Legends Final Ride
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua makes his final walk to the octagon in front of his home crowd this Saturday against Ihor Potieria. There are no easy fights in the UFC, that’s for sure. Shogun has had a wild ride, from fighting in Pride FC in the early 2000s to being the UFC Light heavyweight champion. He’s finally hanging up the gloves and having a well-deserved retirement. Unfortunately, this is still the UFC, there are no ‘free bees’ when it comes to fighting, and his next opponent is far from one. Potieria coming off the DWCS is 0-1 in the UFC, but having a legend of the sport across from him will give him some motivation to get into the winning column. Shogun’s last fight will be something you don’t want to miss. Pay your respect to the great ‘Shogun’ Rua this weekend at UFC 283.
This weekend is a cracker to start the year off with, and you do not want to miss it. Tune in to UFC 283 this Saturday night and witness history!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
