UFC 275 Predictions & Results: Teixeira vs Prochazka
Pintsized Background
Pintsized Predictions are hot off the presses for a blockbuster, dual-title PPV, UFC 275! Not only is the card relatively short for a pay-per-view, featuring just eleven fights, but the event is set to take place in Singapore. Uncle Dana needs that Asian market money!
Where/When is UFC 275 taking place: 12 June 2022. Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore.
What time does UFC 275 start: 🇬🇧 UK: 10.30AM / 🇺🇸 US ET: 6.30PM
What channel is UFC 275 on: 🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+ PPV
Pintsized MMA content from the week before:
🚀 Preview: UFC Vegas 56: Volkov vs Rozenstruik Predictions
🥊 PI’s Recommended Fight: Mike Trizano vs Lucas Almeida
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UFC 275 Picks, Odds & Results
| UFC 275 Fights & Odds | Winner | Method | Round | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G. Teixeira (+185) J. Prochazka (-225) | Prochazka | TKO | 2 | Prochazka Submission Round 5 |
| J. Jedrzejczyk (+140) W. Zhang (-160) | Zhang | Decision | / | Zhang TKO Round 2 |
| T. Santos (+450) V. Shevchenko (-630) | Shevchenko | Decision | / | Shevchenko Decision |
| A. Fialho (+100) J. Matthews (-120) | Fialho | TKO | 3 | Matthews TKO Round 2 |
| JD. Maddalena (-190) R. Emeev (+160) | Emeev | Decision | / | Maddalena TKO Round 1 |
| J. Culibao (+185) S. Woo Choi (-225) | Choi | Decision | / | Culibao Decision |
| H. Maheshate (+170) S. Garcia (-200) | Garcia | TKO | 3 | Maheshate TKO Round 1 |
| B. Allen (-290) J. Malkoun (+230) | Allen | TKO | 1 | Allen Decision |
| D. Batgerel (+100) K. Kyung-Ho (-120) | Batgerel | TKO | 2 | Kyung-Ho Decision |
| SG. Juarez N. Liang | Liang | Submission | 1 | Juarez TKO Round 1 |
| J. Edwards R. Pascual | Pascual | Decision | / | Edwards Decision |
UFC 275: Main Event Predictions
Glover Teixeira vs Jiri Prochazka
Light Heavyweight (205)
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Glover Teixeira (33-7)
Time and time again, Glover Teixeira continues to surprise. The man lives rent-free in Father Time’s head, growing increasingly durable and conditioned as he ages. Okay, that is largely hyperbole, but for all of Teixeira’s craftiness, a huge part of his game is based around ‘Homer Simpsoning’ opponents in the first couple of rounds.
The Brazilian Pit Bull has been hurt badly twice in his last three fights, with Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith close to finishing the veteran. While Teixeira’s recovery in both fights was magical, considering the volume of miles on his body, the power Prochazka power poses a different threat. The Czech fighter carries a lot of flaws, but a brutal finishing instinct is not one. I may be wrong once again (more accurately, for the fourth time), yet Teixeira’s chin is a whisker away from cracking permanently.
Teixeira’s success on the mat has been stark throughout his recent rise. The Brazilian tends to survive on the feet, get buzzed, and then pull a trip out of thin air. Within the madness of a brawl, Teixeira is at his calmest. Prochazka has barely touched the mat in his UFC stint, but it would be safer to back Teixeira pinning the Czech until the end of the round.
Jiri Prochazka (28-3-1)
It would be fitting for a fighter who made his name in Asia, to pick up UFC gold in the very same continent. This sport isn’t designed for fairy tales, however. Prochazka starts insanely fast and he will be happily obliged in the middle by the consistent pressure of Teixeira.
By now, most fans are aware of the glaring holes in Prochazka’s game. It is freak athleticism that holds the pieces of the Czech’s game together. No matter how many times Prochazka crosses his feet, whiffs at the air or walks into punishment, he remains fluid and reactive. For once, Teixeira will meet a fighter who can match his pace and pressure (a ludicrous statement regarding a 42yr old) on the back-foot and win short exchanges.
The glaring red flag will be if Jiri falls into a takedown when chasing a finish. Teixeira’s recent success on the mat has largely stemmed from exhausting opponents before the grappling affair. There is a worry that even when fresh, Jiri will lack the tools to shrug off the Brazilian once on top.
Predicted Result: Prochazka TKO Round 2
By now, most fans are aware of the glaring holes in Prochazka’s game. It is freak athleticism that holds the pieces of the Czech’s game together. No matter how many times Prochazka crosses his feet, whiffs at the air or walks into punishment, he remains fluid and reactive. For once, Teixeira will meet a fighter who can match his pace (a ludicrous statement regarding a 42yr old) on the back-foot and win short exchanges.
Still, I will not be conned into writing Teixeira off as I have over his past three fights. Within the madness of a brawl, Teixeira is at his calmest. The Brazilian tends to survive on the feet, get buzzed, and then pull a trip out of thin air. Prochazka has barely touched the mat in his UFC stint, but it would be safer to back Teixeira pinning the Czech until the end of the round. Ultimately, however, Prochazka’s power and finishing instinct provide enough sex appeal to back a new Czech reign.
Result: Prochazka def. Teixeira // Submission (rear-naked choke) Round 5 4:32
Winner ✔️ // Method ❌ // Round ❌
UFC 275: Co-Main Event Predictions
Valentina Shevchenko vs Taila Santos
Women’s Flyweight (125)
UFC Flyweight Championship
Valentina Shevchenko (22-3)
Nobody expected Julianna Pena to shock Amanda Nunes, could we see a similar seismic shock in the Flyweight division? Despite all the memes regarding Shevchenko representing the most complete skill set across all facets of life, the Kyrgyzstani truly does represent the ‘crème de la crème’ of the Women’s MMA world. Is that easier when you’re facing off against the likes of Jessica Eye, Jennifer Maia and Lauren Murphy? Probably.
Patience and smart decisions form the foundation of Shevchenko’s game plan. Rarely does Shevchenko change up her approach to a fight. It’s either a patient kickboxing affair or in the case of Maia and her pressure, Shevchenko was forced to grapple. Santos can certainly match Shevchenko’s athleticism, it will be interesting to see how physically imposing Santos is in the clinch.
Taila Santos (19-1)
Taila gets a huge fast-track to the title shot off the back of a complete lack of contenders at 125lbs. Santos does find herself in her physical prime, and it isn’t as though her style was going to adapt before fighting Shevchenko. The Brazilian is a weight bully who has continued to surprise by simply overwhelming her opponents.
Santos certainly carries power, Joanne Wood was buzzed several times on the way to her submission loss. Whether Santos can close the distance against Shevchenko is the true question. There hasn’t been much evidence of consistent cage-cutting against an efficient back-foot striker. If Santos finds herself on her back, as well, then this could be a humiliating display on the scale of Miocic vs N’Gannou 1 (without any of the hype).
Predicted Result: Shevchenko Decision
Nobody expected Julianna Pena to shock Amanda Nunes, could we see a similar seismic shock in the Flyweight division? Santos certainly carries power, Joanne Wood was buzzed several times on the way to her submission loss. Whether Santos can close the distance against Shevchenko is the true question. There hasn’t been much evidence of consistent cage-cutting against an efficient back-foot striker.
Patience and smart decisions form the foundation of Shevchenko’s game plan. Rarely does Shevchenko change up her approach in a fight. It’s either a patient kickboxing affair or in the case of Maia and her pressure, Shevchenko was forced to grapple. Santos could prove a problem with her physicality in the clinch, but Shevchenko’s trips are too consistently clean to doubt whether the champion can find a way to top control if necessary.
Result: Shevchenko def. Santos // Decision (split – 47-48, 48-47, 49-46)
Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️
UFC 275: Main Card Predictions
Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk
Women’s Strawweight (115)
Weili Zhang (21-3)
A three-round re-run of Zhang and Jedrzejcyk’s championship slobber knocker back in 2020. The memes of JJ’s hematoma and her alien-shaped head were as brutal as they were sobering. Through it all, Zhang and Joanna 1 will be viewed retrospectively as a crucial fight in putting respect on the Women’s divisions.
Zhang finds herself on an uncharacteristic two-fight slide, having battled back to a disputed split decision loss to Thug Rose after the latter sparked her out in just over a minute. Zhang’s left hook found the mark every time of asking against Joanna. The Pole’s jab is vital to success, yet she is blind to left hooks, aided by Zhang’s speed when moving in off an angle. Zhang enters the rematch with a now proven tape of increased wrestling intent. Magnum surprised Namajunas with greater grappling. Will Zhang’s wrestling break JJ’s preferred pace?
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-4)
Who would have predicted the Boogeywoman, Joanna Jedrzejcyzk, would be sitting on a 2-4 streak after her systematic dismantling of Jessica Andrade? Fighting the very best of the division does bring such risks, but JJ has also found herself snubbed in close decisions. High volume just isn’t rewarded these days, I guess!
Zhang’s work on the outside largely remains to pick away with kick counters or heavy single-shot strikes. Joanna has sat on the sidelines for a considerable amount of time (over two years), can the former champ immediately hop into her preferred electric pace? Joanna’s style feels tailor-made for an active fighter, based on reactive striking and naturally adjusting throughout a fight. Joanna will always be my favourite Strawweight, but this could be a bloodbath.
Predicted Result: Zhang Decision
A three-round re-run of Zhang and Jedrzejcyk’s championship slobber knocker back in 2020. Zhang’s work on the outside largely remains picking away with kick counters or heavy single-shot strikes. Joanna has sat on the sidelines for a considerable amount of time (over two years), can the former champ immediately hop into her preferred electric pace?
Joanna’s style feels tailor-made for an active fighter, based on reactive striking and naturally adjusting throughout a fight. Add in Zhang’s increased wrestling intent and there is a strong possibility that Joanna is neutralised early. That isn’t to totally write off JJ, though. The Pole is a fabulous rematch fighter and did win the early rounds in the first fight with Zhang.
Result: Zhang def. Jedrzejczyk // KO (spinning backfist) Round 2 2:28
Winner ✔️ // Method ❌ // Round ❌
Jake Della Maddalena vs Ramazan Emeev
Welterweight (170)
A strange fight for the UFC to make. Della Maddalena should have been gifted with fights based on his insanely exciting approach. Sitting into full-blooded shots every time he throws, the Aussie oozes blockbuster action. Can Maddalena buzz Emeev early enough to keep the Dagestani from clinching? There is a real fear that Emeev happily ignores the crowd’s demands for blood and sits on fifteen minutes of control time from the top.
Ramazan Emeev (20-5)
Emeev is a thoroughly consistent, experienced veteran who has a skillset designed to neutralise Maddalena. Perhaps the UFC has identified the drop of pace in Emeev’s game and believes it is prime time for an athletic freak like Maddalena to claim a strong scalp. Unless Emeev can hit the mat early and stay there for the first two rounds, the Russian will struggle to handle the pace that the Aussie brings.
Predicted Result: Emeev Decision
Emeev is a thoroughly consistent, experienced veteran who has a skillset designed to neutralise Maddalena. Perhaps the UFC have identified the drop of pace in Emeev’s game and believes the Russian cannot handle the pace that the Aussie brings. More likely, Emeev happily ignores the crowd’s demands for blood and sits on fifteen minutes of control time from the top. This is an unnecessarily difficult step-up in competition for Maddalena, potentially terrible match-making by the UFC.
Result: Maddalena def. Emeev // TKO (punches) Round 1 2:32
Winner ❌ // Method ❌ // Round ❌
Brendan Allen vs Jacob Malkoun
Middleweight (185)
Brendan Allen (18-5)
Damn, this feels like a fight that could be viewed retrospectively as sanctioned murder. Malkoun is a gritty wrestler who can dig very deep to find ways to win, but Allen’s vastly superior athleticism will play into his already strong grappling. The American’s striking is still a work in progress, but Malkoun’s preferred counter-striking will struggle to land against a rangier, snappier foe.
Jacob Malkoun (6-1)
Malkoun is a good fighter concerning decision-making and leading fights to his preferred areas. The Aussie is solid jabbing off the back-foot, a weapon that is rarely seen in MMA. Off the back of feints, Malkoun finds his way into the clinch from where he owns enough tricks to lock opponents down. Unfortunately, in the clinch, Allen’s size will pose an insurmountable factor.
Predicted Result: Allen TKO Round 1
Malkoun is a good fighter concerning decision-making and leading fights to his preferred areas. The Aussie is solid jabbing off the back-foot, a weapon that is rarely seen in MMA. Off the back of feints, Malkoun finds his way into the clinch from where he owns enough tricks to lock opponents down. Unfortunately, in the clinch, Allen’s size will pose an insurmountable factor.
Result: Allen def. Malkoun // Decision (UD – 29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Winner ✔️ // Method ❌ // Round ❌
UFC 275: Preliminary Card Predictions
Seung Woo Choi vs Joshua Culibao
Featherweight (145)
Seung Woo Choi (10-4)
A phenomenal frame at Featherweight, Choi is a difficult fighter to guess where he will end up. Choi can walk on to shots in pursuit of landing his work, but it’s fair game for the Korean to assume he will come out on top for every 50/50 exchange. There is a clear pathway for Choi to dominate the centre of the octagon and consistently pepper Culibao as he fails to work himself inside.
Joshua Culibao (9-1-1)
It ain’t pretty, but Culibao’s jab and low kicks allow him to survive in the UFC. The Aussie’s kit needs serious work, but he has proven that he can patiently sit behind single-shots. Whether Culibao carries the power to stop Choi from walking him down is the main worry. Unfortunately for the grinder, this feels like a physical bridge that cannot be crossed.
Predicted Result: Choi Decision
It ain’t pretty, but Culibao’s jab and low kicks allow him to survive in the UFC. Choi can walk on to shots in pursuit of landing his work, but it’s fair game for the Korean to assume he will come out on top for every 50/50 exchange. There is a clear pathway for Choi to dominate the centre of the octagon and consistently pepper Culibao as he fails to work himself inside. Unfortunately for the Aussie, this match-up feels like a physical bridge that cannot be crossed.
Result: Culibao def. Choi // Decision (split – 28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Winner ❌ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️
Hayisaer Maheshate vs Steve Garcia
Lightweight (155)
Hayisaer Maheshate (6-1)
Maheshate remains an unknown entity after his DWCS victory. At just 22 years of age, the Chinese fighter’s ceiling is anybody’s guess. On his debut, Maheshate evidenced his ability to recover which will be vital in his early career learning fights. Maheshate tends to experiment on the feet, which should be relatively painless against Garcia.
Steve Garcia (12-4)
It has almost been a full year since we last saw Steve Garcia. A thoroughly hard worker, Garcia’s honesty in the game may well pay dividends amongst the unranked Lightweights. Garcia managed to survive heavy artillery in the opening against Charlie Ontiveros before laying down a series of brutal elbows. Garcia is relentless in pursuit of the takedown, and although his wrestling is somewhat adequate, it may be more than enough against Maheshate.
Predicted Result: Garcia TKO Round 3
Garcia is relentless in pursuit of the takedown, and although his wrestling requires work, it may be more than enough against Maheshate. The DWCS victory evidenced his ability to recover which will be vital in his early career learning fights. While Meheshate will be able to experiment on the feet relatively painlessly against Garcia, the Chinese prospect’s TDD is unproven.
Result: Maheshate def. Garcia // KO (punch) Round 1 1:14
Winner ❌ // Method ✔️ // Round ❌
Jake Matthew vs Andre Fialho
Welterweight (170)
Jake Matthew (17-5)
Has the UFC finally given up on the Jake Matthews experiment? After being dominated and stopped by Sean Brady, on top of an exhaustingly dull affair with the ghost of Diego Sanchez, the hype behind the Aussie is non-existent. Matthew’s defensive boxing has improved over his fifteen-fight UFC career, in part due to repeated failures to fall back on the wrestling base that carried him in the regionals. Matthew’s stunted pace on the feet may well benefit him, as he rarely makes mistakes and will leave Fialho with limited opportunities for counters.
Andre Fialho (16-4)
Fialho is absolutely flying in 2022. After a close-knit decision loss to Michel Pereira (whose stock continues to rise), Fialho has secured back-to-back first-round KOs over Miguel Baeza and Cameron VanCamp. It isn’t hard to envision a cheeky event in Portugal with Kape/Fialho as headliners. This will be a real test of Fialho’s TDD consistency, as Matthew will attempt to take this to the mat in every round.
Predicted Result: Fialho TKO Round 3
It’s a dumb call, but I’m going to put myself on the Fialho hype train. Matthew’s defensive boxing has improved over his fifteen-fight UFC career, in part due to repeated failures to fall back on the wrestling base that carried him in the regionals. Matthew’s dull pace on the feet may well benefit him, as he rarely makes mistakes and will leave Fialho with limited opportunities for counters.
Matthew represents a real test of Fialho’s TDD consistency – a fighter who was silenced by Glaico Franca on the mat. Still, Fialho carries lights-out power, is a notorious confidence fighter flying high on a two-fight streak and, to be quite honest, his style is aesthetic.
Result: Matthews def. Fialho // KO (punches) Round 2 2:24
Winner ❌ // Method ✔️ // Round ❌
Kyung Ho Kang vs Danaa Batgerel
Bantamweight (135)
Kyung Ho Kang (17-9)
After a losing return against Rani Yahya, it is a surprise that Kyung Ho Kang is once again entering the octagon. The thirty-four-year-old was man-handled on the mat while the Bamtaweight division has evolved far behind the Korean’s wishy-washy skillset. Elderly fighters around 135lbs need a defined skill set, ala Yahya, yet Kang has flip-flopped between point fighting on the outside and physical grinder.
Danaa Batgerel (12-3)
A powerful pocket puncher, Danaa carries a peach of a left hook and draws opponents onto it. The Mongolian’s gas tank is still up for discussion, but does it matter when you continually string early finishes? Danaa may well struggle against a durable veteran who has a wrestling base to draw upon if he chooses, but I’m fancying a knockout.
Predicted Result: Danaa TKO Round 2
Danaa may well struggle against a durable veteran who has a wrestling base to draw upon if he chooses, but I’m fancying a knockout. Kang has too often flip-flopped between trading on the feet and physically grinding opponents from fight to fight. If Kang obliges with a war in the pocket, Danaa is the heavy favourite.
Result: Kyung-Ho def. Batgerel // Decision (UD – 29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Winner ❌ // Method ❌ // Round ❌
Silvana Gomez Juarez vs Na Liang
Women’s Strawweight (115)
Silvana Gomez Juarez (10-4)
Dreadful, pointless fight for a PPV event. Juarez lacks any form of physicality and is ancient for a young fighter’s division. Without any semblance of a TDD base, Juarez may well be packing her bags after Saturday.
Na Liang (19-5)
Again, how does Na Liang find herself on a PPV? Stylistically, Dragon Girl has the tools to take Juarez down early and find a submission with bags of time on the mat.
Predicted Result: Liang Submission Round 1
Stylistically, Dragon Girl has the tools to take Juarez down early and find a submission with bags of time on the mat. Juarez is ancient for a young fighter’s division, and although Liang’s striking defence is woeful, Juarez’s TDD is far more glaring.
Result: Juarez def. Liang // KO (punches) Round 1 1:22
Winner ❌ // Method ❌ // Round ✔️
Joselyne Edwards vs Ramona Pascual
Women’s Featherweight (145)
Joselyne Edwards (10-4)
Another fight that doesn’t deserve its spot on the PPV. Both fighters hold a combined record of 1-3 in the UFC, with those results coming against some of the worst in the division. Edwards can catch opponents by surprise with her length, but she simply cannot keep herself on her feet.
Ramona Pascual (6-3)
Pascual owns a solid chin, is relentless in pursuit of takedowns and will fare better at Featherweight. Neither fighter is good enough to really push their advantages, but Pascual’s stylistic advantages should be favoured.
Predicted Result: Pascual Decision
Pascual owns a solid chin, is relentless in pursuit of takedowns and will fare better at Featherweight. Neither fighter is good enough to really push their advantages, but Pascual’s stylistic advantages should be favoured.
Result: Edwards def. Pascual // Decision (UD – 29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Winner ❌ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️
Prediction Accuracy
UFC 275
Winner: 4/11
Method: 5/11
Round: 4/11
2022 MMA Season
Winner: 151/228
Method: 115/228
Round: 102/228
MMA Overall
Winner: 647/1020
Method: 477/1020
Round: 426/1020
Takeaway comments: There’s a lot of work left for Maddalena, but damn if he ain’t fun to watch.
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