This April will be a homecoming match for Anthony Smith (8-4), who faces Glover Teixeira (10-4) in the Lightweight Heavy bout in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will be UFC’s second trip to Lincoln after the last event held in August 2018.
Just after Smith’s victorious fight with Alexander Gustafsson, he was taken to surgery when he broke his hand. However, the surgery proved unsuccessful. Shortly thereafter, Smith underwent a second surgery.
Doctors told Smith “The Lionheart” it would take approximately four months for his injury to heal completely. Right on cue, Smith is booked.
Both fighters will look to continue their winning ways. Smith has won four out of his last five UFC bouts. In his most recent outing, Smith defeated title contender Gustafsson by fourth-round submission.
Smith’s only loss took place at UFC 235 where he dropped a five-round unanimous decision to UFC champion Jon Jones. Proving to be a serious contender, he currently sits at number three at 205 in the official UFC rankings.
Teixeira, 40, is just as determined, and is riding a three-fight win streak. The Brazil-born Connecticut resident has defeated Karl Roberson, Ion Cutelaba, and Nikita Krylov. Previously, Teixeira also had his shot at Jones’s title back at UFC 172 in April 2014. Like Smith, Teixeira was unable to win over the judges after going 25 minutes with “Bones.” Despite the loss, he currently holds the ninth spot in the light heavyweight rankings.
The winner of this fight will be a crucial one for both Smith and Texeira, who no doubt will be able to move up within the division.
Co-headlining will be Antonina Shevchenko (2-1) and Cynthia Calvillo in the women’s Flyweight bout. It will be Calvillo’s first 125-pound fight in the UFC following two weight misses in her last three strawweight bouts.
For Shevchenko (2-1), she will look to build on her second-round submission of Lucie Pudilová in August. A dangerous submission specialist, she has locked in finishes against Amanda Cooper, Pearl Gonzalez and Poliana Botelho. Calvillo now aims to make a statement by being the first person to stop Shevchenko.
Other fights announced include un-retired Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson, Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada, and Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez.
Main Card showing live from 10:00 AM AEST | SA 10.30 AM | NT 9:30 AM | WA 8:00 AM (undercard will show earlier).
Grab your mates and watch here, live and free at your local.
MAIN CARD
Light Heavyweight bout
Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
UNDERCARD
Women’s Flyweight bout
Antonina Shevchenko vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Light Heavyweight bout
Ovince Saint Preux vs. Shamil Gamzatov
Lightweight bout
Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
Welterweight bout
Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada
Middleweight bout
Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez