UFC 275 LIVE: Jiri Prochazka wins light heavyweight title from Glover Teixeira plus full results
Re-live round-by-round updates from two title fights and a stacked card in Singapore
Jiri Prochazka submitted Glover Teixeira with fewer than 30 seconds left in the main event of UFC 275, winning the light heavyweight title at the end of an enthralling, turbulent fight on Sunday.
Teixeira entered Singapore’s Indoor Stadium as the second-oldest champion in UFC history at 42 years old, making the first defence of the belt that he won late last year. Prochazka, fighting in the UFC for just the third time, was positioned as the young lion set to take over the pride at 205lbs, although the Czech challenger had collected significant experience outside the UFC before debuting in the promotion in 2020. Prochazka, 29, has held titles in other organisations but can now call himself the best light heavyweight in the world, having won the UFC gold with this rear-naked-choke victory over an aged but game Teixeira.
In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko retained her flyweight title with a controversial split-decision win against huge underdog Taila Santos (48-47, 47-48, 49-46), after Zhang Weili knocked out fellow former women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Zhang finished the Pole emphatically in Round 2 of their rematch, defeating Jedrzejczyk with a spinning back fist. The pair had previously fought in 2020, with Zhang emerging victorious via split decision. Following Saturday’s rematch, Jedrzejczyk announced her retirement from MMA and left her gloves in the ring – a symbolic gesture for calling time on one’s fighting career.
Re-live UFC 275, below.
UFC 275 LIVE
Teixeira vs Prochazka – Round 3
Prochazka is all smiles! So is Teixeira!
Good sprawl from Prochazka to deny Teixeira a takedown. Teixeira lays on his back, but the challenger wisely refuses to follow him to the mat.
Teixeira stands and is soon on the receiving end of some sharp straight punches from Prochazka.
See paragraph 2^; that exact sequence just happened again.
Prochazka appears to land a knee up the middle, but Teixeira catches it and takes down the Czech!
The light heavyweights are soon back standing, and Teixeira takes a spiteful body hook well...
Prochazka with more body punches, and Teixeira drops to the mat! Prochazka is going for the finish with ground and pound! Teixeira is now cut, too.
Prochazka is going for an arm-triangle choke, but Teixeira is a master in those situations and escapes with ease. He’s now on top and landing more elbows! What a topsy-turvy contest!
UFC 275 LIVE
Teixeira cut open Prochazka with that final series of elbows. The wound is above Prochazka’s left eye, it’s a nasty one.
UFC 275 LIVE
Teixeira vs Prochazka – Round 2
Prochazka is starting to find his rhythm in the striking exchanges. Meanwhile, Teixeira is loading up with overhands annd missing.
One-two from Prochazka, then a stern jab and a flying knee!
He’s pouring on punches, and Teixeira shoots for a single-leg takedown in desperation!
Uppercuts get through for Prochazka once the pair stand. Teixeira is hurting! He’s eating punches now...
Prochazka misses with a jumping knee, though, and Teixeira pounces! He takes Prochazka’s back! Wow!
Teixeira is able to remain on top of the Czech and regain his composure. How crucial could that be?
Teixeira ends the round with a series of big elbows from above!
UFC 275 LIVE
Teixeira vs Prochazka – Round 1
Prochazka flicks out some jab feints, then blocks a head kick. A harsh body kick then smashes into his ribs, however.
Prochazka buries a low kick into the outside of Teixeira’s lead leg. Straight left from Prochazka.
Teixeira is able to grab a kick and secure a single-leg takedown! He’s straight into full guard.
Prochazka creates enough space to get to the fence and attempt to get back to his feet, but Teixeira controls him from side control then north-south.
Prochazka is able to explode back to his feet! He kicks to the body of Teixeira, who responds with some decent straight punches.
Terrific single-leg takedown from Teixeira, who is straight into mount this time and hurling down punches! He ends the round in control.
UFC 275 LIVE
The most popular narrative going into the main event is that of the griseled veteran taking on the young lion. While there is sense in that perspective, it is not entirely reflective of the reality here.
Yes, Teixeira (33-7) has been around the block; he could probably drive the route with his eyes closed, unadvisable as that may be in both metaphorical and literal contexts. But to suggest that he is here simply to allow Prochazka’s coronation would be unfair. The 42-year-old Brazilian has been the underdog in a number of bouts on the six-fight win streak that he will ride into Singapore, and he has defied the odds continually – most recently by submitting Jan Blachowicz in the second round to win the title in October.
That said, the salient narrative here also does a disservice to Prochazka (28-3). The Czech challenger does have youth on his side at 29, but he would be far from the youngest champion in UFC history if he were to win, and he garnered significant experience outside of MMA’s flagship promotion before signing in 2020. In fact, Prochazka held world titles in other organisations including Rizin before joining the UFC. Of course claiming gold here, in just his third fight in the UFC, would represent a remarkably rapid rise up the rankings, but the Czech has honed his craft effectively over 10 years as a professional mixed martial artist.
What he has shown – with 25 knockouts from his 28 wins – is that he has a devastating and versatile striking offence that will pose a significant threat to Teixeira. He has won his last 12 fights, securing victory with stoppages in his last 10. The champion, however, is capable of finishing any foe if he can implement his grappling game. The quickness with which he forced Blachowicz to tap out last year was all the evidence that anyone should need.
In essence: A Prochazka win feels the likeliest outcome, but Teixeira has more than earnt the right to be taken seriously here.
UFC 275 LIVE
Prochazka makes his way to the ring, full of energy.
Now here comes Teixeira to the sound of “Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns ‘N’ Roses.
UFC 275 LIVE
One fight left: the main event. Glover Teixeira defends the UFC light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka.
UFC 275 LIVE
Valentina Shevchenko def. Taila Santos via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46).
Some boos inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
When the 49-46 scorecard was read out, it seemed like it would be Santos’.
UFC 275 LIVE
Shevchenko vs Santos – Round 5
Final round. Santos again has the back of Shevchenko.
The champion is able to slip free, and the flyweights stand. A big one-two from Shevchenko, who may well need a finish here to retain her title!
Now Shevchenko secures a takedown. She’s on top of Santos, wearing down on the Brazilian.
Shevchenko ends the round and fight on top. Let’s see what the scorecards look like...
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