A light heavyweight contender fight between Anthony “Rumble” Johnson and Glover Teixeira is now official for UFC on Fox 20 in Chicago.
The bout will serve as the night’s co-main event under expected headliner Holly Holm vs. Valentina Shevchenko, and is likely to determine the next title challenger at 205 lbs.
Johnson took out Ryan Bader in January in the main event of UFC on Fox 18, knocking him out in the first round for his second straight KO win. He’s 5-1 since returning to the UFC as a light heavyweight fighter, with the sole loss coming to Daniel Cormier for the at-the-time vacant title.
Teixeira is entering off a first-round KO of his own, his in the main event of UFC on Fox 19 over Rashad Evans last month. That’s his third straight win since consecutive decision losses to Jon Jones (in a title fight) and Phil Davis. The Brazilian is now 8-2 in ten UFC appearances going back to 2012.
UFC on Fox 20 hits the United Center on July 23, the UFC’s fifth Fox card in the city since 2012.
Penick’s Analysis: Whomever wins this fight is clearly the most deserving challenger at 205 lbs, and even though Johnson lost to Cormier and Teixeira lost to Jones, they’ll deserve either the new matchup or a rematch with a win depending on who leaves UFC 200 with the belt. It’s a great fight, and arguably deserves the main event slot more than Holm-Shevchenko.
[Glover Teixeira art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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arguably? Try again.