UFC 282 Preview
One of the final UFC events of the calendar year comes in December with UFC 282 from the T-Mobile Arena in Nevada. Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira are set to meet for the second in the main event on the card.
Prochazka won the first contest between the two men at UFC 275 back in June. He stopped his opponent in the fifth round by submission, claiming the belt from his opponent. That came on just his third appearance on the UFC brand.
The Czech fighter tops the betting to defeat Teixeira once again in the light heavyweight clash. He is -225 in the fight market, but those placing a bet on him could also pick up a free bet to use on the card using a promo code. Learn more about sportsbook promo codes from Ohio, including how to snap up a risk-free first bet, all of which are from the best sports betting sites and apps in the state. UFC fans will be able to bet on the sport in Ohio from the January 1, 2023, so keep an eye on all the major events in the sport this year before those wagering apps comes live and legal.
Teixeira had a lot of success in the early rounds of that first fight with Prochazka. He will be hoping he can build upon that in this rematch and get the result his way this time. The former champion is the +163 underdog in the betting.
Ankalaev Has Chance to Enhance Reputation Against Blachowicz
The light heavyweight clash between Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz could determine who faces the winner of the Prochazka-Teixeira fight in 2023. It features the two men ranked second and third in the division.
Ankalaev has lost just once in the UFC in 10 fights. He was defeated on his debut in the Octagon back in 2018 against Paul Craig. Since then, he has recorded nine straight wins, with impressive victories coming over Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith.
If the 30-year-old can defeat the former light heavyweight champion, it will be the biggest win of his career. He would most likely then leapfrog the Polish fight in the UFC rankings into second place.
Blachowicz lost his light heavyweight title against Teixeira at UFC 267 from a submission in the second round. Since that defeat, he has returned to the Octagon, beating Aleksandar Rakic for the 29th MMA victory of his career. A success in his upcoming fight would help him to earn another shot at his former title.
Paddy Pimblett Looking for Another Big Performance
British fighter Paddy Pimblett has picked up the Performance of the Night on his last three appearances in the UFC. He has beaten Luigi Vendramini, Rodrigo Vargas, and Jordan Leavitt in that stretch of victories.
The man from Liverpool will be having just his second appearance in the USA with the brand when he takes on Jared Brown in a lightweight fight. His American opponent is very experienced in the Octagon, and he comes into the contest in good form himself, winning four of his last contests.
UFC 282 takes place on December 10, and it could feature some of the best fights of the year on what is a stacked card.
