The Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will host UFC 283 stacked PPV event, headlined by a vacant Light Heavyweight title fight between Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill. The UFC’s last event to head to Rio de Janeiro also featured a Light Heavyweight headliner which saw Jan Blachowicz ice Corey Anderson in the first-round. Fingers crossed there are no late-notice shenanigans as back-up Main Event fighter, Anthony Smith, missed weight by four pounds at the weigh-in!
The Main Card features a double title fight package at the top as the Co-Main Event pitches Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno in the UFC’s first quadrilogy (four-fight series). The pick of the fights has to be Paul Craig’s jiu-jitsu only approach against the wacky waving inflatable tube man that is Johnny Walker.
Our UFC 283 featured preliminary shines the spotlight on Shogun Rua’s retirement bout. The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and only remaining PRIDE fighter (2005 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion) on the roster has been offered a meaningless and relatively dangerous opponent. Such is the UFC’s slaughter farm.
Where/When is UFC 283 taking place:
January 21, 2023. Jeunesse Arena. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What time does UFC 283 start:
🇬🇧 UK: 10:30pm / 🇺🇸 US ET: 5.30pm
What channel is UFC 283 on:
🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+
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UFC 283 Bitesize Predictions
| UFC 283 Odds | UFC 283 Predictions |
|---|---|
| Glover Teixeira vs Jamahal Hill Odds: (+120) / (-140) | Glover Teixeira vs Jamahal Hill Prediction: Teixeira TKO Round 3 |
| Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno Odds: (+105) / (-125) | Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno Prediction: Figueiredo Decision |
| Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny Odds: (-460) / (+370) | Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny Prediction: Burns Decision |
| Jessica Andrade vs Lauren Murphy Odds: (-475) / (+380) | Jessica Andrade vs Lauren Murphy Prediction: Andrade TKO Round 3 |
| Paul Craig vs Johnny Walker Odds: (+160) / (-190) | Paul Craig vs Johnny Walker Prediction: Craig Submission Round 1 |
| Shogun Rua vs Ihor Potieria Odds: (+175) / (-205) | Shogun Rua vs Ihor Potieria Prediction: Potieria TKO Round 1 |
| Gregory Rodrigues vs Bruno Ferreira Odds: (-305) / (+255) | Gregory Rodrigues vs Bruno Ferreira Prediction: Rodrigues Submission Round 2 |
| Thiago Moises vs Melquizael Costa Odds: (-365) / (+300) | Thiago Moises vs Melquizael Costa Prediction: Moises Submission Round 1 |
| Gabriel Bonfim vs Mounir Lazzez Odds: (-165) / (+140) | Gabriel Bonfim vs Mounir Lazzez Prediction: Bonfim Decision |
| Jailton Almeida vs Shamil Abdurakhimov Odds: (-975) / (+675) | Jailton Almeida vs Shamil Abdurakhimov Prediction: Almeida TKO Round 1 |
| Luan Lacerda vs Cody Stamann Odds: (+300) / (-365) | Luan Lacerda vs Cody Stamann Prediction: Lacerda Decision |
| Terrance McKinney vs Ismael Bonfim Odds: (-120) / (+100) | Terrance McKinney vs Ismael Bonfim Prediction: McKinney TKO Round 1 |
| Warlley Alves vs Nicolas Dalby Odds: (-125) / (+105) | Warlley Alves vs Nicolas Dalby Prediction: Dalby Decision |
| Josiane Nunes vs Zarah Fairn Odds: (-520) / (+410) | Josiane Nunes vs Zarah Fairn Prediction: Nunes TKO Round 1 |
| Daniel Marcos vs Saimon Oliveira Odds: (+125) / (-145) | Daniel Marcos vs Saimon Oliveira Prediction: Marcos Decision |
UFC 283: Main Event
Glover Teixeira vs Jamahal Hill
Light Heavyweight (205)
UFC vacant Light Heavyweight Championship
Glover Teixeira (33-8)
At the ripe old age of forty-three, Glover Teixeira has the opportunity to immediately rebound and reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight title he surrendered to Jiri Prochazka seven months ago. The Brazilian’s cinderella story may have lost its steam after a brutal five-round war with Prochazka – a fight reminiscent of Lawler vs Macdonald where both fighters left an irretrievable part of them in the octagon.
On the flip side, Teixeira’s chin sparkled once again under heavy firepower and hints at withstanding Hill’s primary weapons on the feet. Teixeira, a solid game planner, will be keen to negate Hill’s natural power and exploit a rudimentary ground game that was exposed a year and a half ago by Paul Craig. Another dislocated elbow is unlikely, rather, Teixeira is a brutally efficient ground’n’pound artist who is almost impossible to shrug off the top.
Jamahal Hill (11-1)
The 6’4″ fighter out of Michigan is an entertaining highlight reel machine but it’s still a sad sign for a division to pitch a title battle between an OAP and an overhand merchant. To expand on Hill’s weaknesses on the mat, Thiago Santos was able to land six of the sloppiest takedowns imaginable and accrue nearly six minutes of control time in Hill’s last outing. Granted, Sweet Dreams managed to stuff the majority of Santos’ desperate shots, but Teixeira is a different beast in terms of wrestling prowess.
Since Gustafsson slept Teixeira with a peachy combination back in 2017, Teixeira’s chin has been second-guessed in the lead-up to every fight. This will be no different, albeit, due to Hill’s clubbing power rather than the clutches of Father Time. Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos all met their fate from a single strike by Hill. The power stems from Hill’s tendency to plant his feet, yet he is exceptionally sloppy when resetting between combinations. It’s difficult to see Teixeira avoiding ample opportunities to shoot on Hill.
Teixeira vs Hill Prediction: Teixeira TKO Round 3
Since Gustafsson slept Teixeira with a peachy combination back in 2017, Teixeira’s chin has been second-guessed in the lead-up to every fight. This will be no different, albeit, due to Hill’s clubbing power rather than the clutches of Father Time. Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos all met their fate from a single strike by Hill. The power stems from Hill’s tendency to plant his feet, yet he is exceptionally sloppy when resetting between combinations. It’s difficult to see Teixeira avoiding ample opportunities to shoot on Hill.
UFC 283: Co-Main Event
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
Flyweight (125)
UFC Flyweight Championship
Deiveson Figueiredo (21-2-1)
In a trilogy that has gone 1-1-1, the fourth fight (or quadrilogy) between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno is thoroughly justified. Although it feels as though an extraordinarily talented Flyweight division has stagnated due to the two-year-long rivalry – you only need to rewatch the trilogy to understand why it received two FOTN awards.
Figgy Pudding’s time at the top of the sport is coming to an end as he nears his 36th birthday – an unfathomable age for a champion in the Flyweight division. The Brazilian’s power left more of a mark in the trilogy fight, no doubt due to a deliberate decision to settle behind a composed gameplan devoid of the usual Figgy high-risk antics. As such, Figueiredo was more able to handle the breathless conditioning of Brandon Moreno.
Brandon Moreno (20-6-2)
Does anyone remember a time when Brandon Moreno was viewed as a gatekeeper after back-to-back defeats in 2017? The Assassin Baby is one of the most beloved fighters inside and outside of the cage in MMA. Coming into the quadrilogy off the back of a third-round knockout over Kai Kara-France, Moreno will be buoyed by having beat a lethal striker at his own game.
At 29 years old, Moreno is physically peaking at the right time. The Mexican already possessed an everlasting gas tank, yet there are now signs of more significant pop in his strikes – particularly a tighter kicking game. There is decent room to question Moreno’s preparedness in the lead-up, however, following James Krause’s gambling-enforced camp changes. Without a determined game plan of wearing Figueiredo down via the mat, Moreno will find himself on the wrong end of early exchanges too often.
Figueiredo vs Moreno Prediction: Figueiredo Decision
At 29 years old, Moreno is physically peaking at the right time. The Mexican already possessed an everlasting gas tank, yet there are now signs of more significant pop in his strikes – particularly a tighter kicking game. There is decent room to question Moreno’s preparedness in the lead-up, however, following James Krause’s gambling-enforced camp changes. Without a determined game plan of wearing Figueiredo down via the mat, Moreno will find himself on the wrong end of early exchanges too often. There is always a risk of Figueiredo mentally switching off and failing in the pursuit of high-risk opportunism, but as seen in the trilogy fight, the Brazilian can sit behind his best weapons when required.
UFC 283: Main Card
Gilbert Burns vs Neil Magny
Welterweight (170)
Gilbert Burns (20-5)
It’s been close to a year since we’ve seen Gilbert Burns in the octagon since his barn-burner FOTN with Khamzat Chimaev. Durinho was the first fighter to neutralise Chimaev’s oppressive grappling, as well as drop him at the end of the second round with a huge right overhand. With a few more seconds on the clock, the 36-year-old could have stopped the UFC’s biggest hype train. Alas, Burns now finds himself pitted against a banana-skin gatekeeper.
Neil Magny (27-9)
The Haitian Sensation has settled into a win-one-lose-one groove while also moving away from his career knack for decisions. Magny was bullied by Shavkat Rakhmonov, but with every ensuing fight, it appears that the Uzbeki is the real deal. Against Daniel Rodriguez, Magny better utilised his long frame in the opening exchanges to frustrate a natural counter-puncher. Nailing five of his seven takedowns and patiently working towards the third-round submission will renew Magny’s confidence after the Rakhmonov beatdown.
Burns vs Magny Prediction: Burns Decision
It’s been close to a year since we’ve seen Gilbert Burns in the octagon since his barn-burner FOTN with Khamzat Chimaev. Durinho was the first fighter to neutralise Chimaev’s oppressive grappling, as well as drop him at the end of the second round with a huge right overhand. Neil Magny is Welterweight’s biggest banana-skin gatekeeper, however. The Haitian Sensation better utilised his long frame in his last outing against Daniel Rodriguez – showing more intensity on the feet from the opening bell.
Jessica Andrade vs Lauren Murphy
Women’s Strawweight (125)
Jessica Andrade (23-9)
Back-to-back first-round finishes have proven not enough for the UFC to place Andrade back into the Flyweight title contention. The Brazilian’s freakish power cleaned out Cynthia Calvillo while setting records after securing the UFC’s first standing arm-triangle choke over Amanda Lemos. Andrade will always be a defensive mess yet her sheer aggression, physicality and opportunism ensure she is a must-watch fighter in an otherwise dreadful division.
Lauren Murphy (16-5)
39-year-old Lauren Murphy should have considered retirement after the one-sided championship loss to Valentina Shevchenko. Murphy had climbed close to the top before hitting her head on an athletic and technical ceiling. Murphy is solidly built and well-rounded, but she lacks the technical supremacy to contain Andrade’s explosive offence.
Andrade vs Murphy Prediction: Andrade TKO Round 3
39-year-old Lauren Murphy should have considered retirement after the one-sided championship loss to Valentina Shevchenko. Murphy had climbed close to the top before hitting her head on an athletic and technical ceiling. Murphy is solidly built and well-rounded, but she lacks the technical supremacy to contain Andrade’s explosive offence.
Paul Craig vs Johnny Walker
Light Heavyweight (205)
Paul Craig (16-5-1)
Scotsman, Paul Craig, lost much of his hype after a dull performance off his back against Volkan Oezdemir. For those who have forgotten, it was still a more entertaining watch than Craig’s attempt to out-box Shogun Rua’s corpse for three rounds in 2019. There’s no denying Craig’s outrageous submission chops – the issue has always been figuring out how to coax fighters into his guard.
Johnny Walker (19-7)
For all the natural physical gifts of Johnny Walker, he was not blessed with a fighting brain. If any fighter were to hurt Craig and dive straight into Craig’s clutches – it would be a John Kavanagh-trained Johnny Walker. The Brazilian notched a rare submission victory over Ion Cutelaba in impressive fashion, yet that mostly stems from the quality of the competition rather than an overnight transformation.
Craig vs Walker Prediction: Craig Submission Round 1
There’s no denying Craig’s outrageous submission chops – the issue has always been figuring out how to coax fighters into his guard. For all the natural physical gifts of Johnny Walker, he was not blessed with a fighting brain. If any fighter were to hurt Craig and dive straight into Craig’s clutches – it would be a John Kavanagh-trained Johnny Walker. Of course, Craig’s chin is not uncrackable, but Walker’s strangely patient counter-striking will work against him in this bout.
UFC 283: Preliminary Card
Shogun Rua vs Ihor Potieria
Light Heavyweight (205)
Shogun Rua (27-13-1)
The retirement bout of a former UFC and PRIDE champion comes with little to no fanfare. Imagine if the UFC had divided a crumb of their Power Slap revenue towards a decent send-off for Shogun. To be fair to the 41-year-old Brazilian, there were flashes of veteran savvy in the OSP rematch. There’s no explosivity behind the lightning-fast flurries that made him such a star in the past, however.
Ihor Potieria (18-3)
This is a strange piece of UFC match-making as it begs the question of whether the UFC is looking to push Ihor Potieria. The 26-year-old has little fanfare behind him, while his paper record was exposed in his UFC debut against Nicolae Negumereanu. Even so, Potieria as the less weathered fighter has the natural power and speed to abruptly end Shogun Rua’s dreams of a fairytale ending.
Rua vs Potieria Prediction: Potieria TKO Round 1
This is a strange piece of UFC match-making as it begs the question of whether the UFC is looking to push Ihor Potieria. The 26-year-old has little fanfare behind him, while his paper record was exposed in his UFC debut against Nicolae Negumereanu. Even so, Potieria as the less weathered fighter has the natural power and speed to abruptly end Shogun Rua’s dreams of a fairytale ending.
Gregory Rodrigues vs Bruno Ferreira
Middleweight (185)
Gregory Rodrigues (13-4)
After a poor night at the office against Armen Petrosyan at the start of 2022, Robocop collected two impressive stoppage victories over Julian Marquez and Chidi Njokuani. Rodrigues was fortunate to survive an early scare against Njokuani yet his high-risk striking style tends to keep him in the range of incoming damage.
Bruno Ferreira (9-0)
Undefeated Brazilian, Bruno Ferreira, debuts on Saturday off the back of a first-round knockout over Leon Aliu on DWCS. Ferreira is riding a career stoppage streak, having never reached the third round in his career. As a Middleweight of shorter stature, Ferreira’s power is impressive – yet he is yet to have shown the quality required to handle Rodrigues’ BJJ base if called upon.
Rodrigues vs Ferreira Prediction: Rodrigues Submission Round 2
Undefeated Brazilian, Bruno Ferreira, is riding a career stoppage streak, having never reached the third round in his career. As a Middleweight of shorter stature, Ferreira’s power is impressive – yet he is yet to have shown the quality required to handle Rodrigues’ BJJ base if called upon.
Thiago Moises vs Melquizael Costa
Lightweight (155)
Thiago Moises (16-6)
Until Thiago Moises faces a fighter of note, his claim to fame will revolve around hitting a takedown on Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. The 27-year-old is a fine grappler, but his less-than-stellar wrestling often leaves him stranded on the feet.
Melquizael Costa (19-5)
Debutant, Melquizael Costa, has spent his career dotted around South and Central American regional promotions with varying degrees of success. The Predador FC Featherweight champion is an athletic prospect who runs (or spins) head-first into danger – Moises should be able to find a way to Costa’s back relatively early.
Moises vs Costa Prediction: Moises Submission Round 1
Until Thiago Moises faces a fighter of note, his claim to fame will revolve around hitting a takedown on Lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Still, Melquizael Costa is an athletic prospect who runs (or spins) head-first into danger – Moises should be able to find a way to Costa’s back relatively early.
Gabriel Bonfim vs Mounir Lazzez
Welterweight (170)
Gabriel Bonfim (13-0)
Another undefeated Brazilian prospect emergent from the DWCS, Gabriel Bonfim is a submission artist of the highest calibre. The former LFA Welterweight Champion has earned his stripes against solid competition in Brenner Alberth and Eduardo Garvon. Expecting a victorious homecoming in front of a ravenous Brazilian crowd.
Mounir Lazzez (11-2)
Tunisian, Mounir Lazzez, is a nightmare match-up for most prospects. Boasting a long reach, Lazzez has a decent grasp of distance control in addition to dangerous knees if opponents can close the distance. Lazzez can struggle to put his stamp on exchanges against active fighters, however.
Bonfim vs Lazzez Prediction: Bonfim Decision
Former LFA Welterweight Champion, Gabriel Bonfim, has earned his stripes against solid competition in Brenner Alberth and Eduardo Garvon. Tunisian, Mounir Lazzez, is of a similar quality as his grasp of distance control often keeps prospects at bay. A close-knit affair with Bonfim’s athletic edge to prove the difference.
Jailton Almeida vs Shamil Abdurakhimov
Heavyweight (265)
Jailton Almeida (17-2)
Although difficult to justify Jailton Almeida’s transition to Heavyweight, the Brazilian remains ‘must-watch entertainment’ in a technically sloppy division. A freak athlete with a gravitational pull towards opponent’s backs, only size and age will hamper Almeida’s progress up the ladder.
Shamil Abdurakhimov (20-7)
After operating as one of the underrated stalwarts of the Heavyweight division throughout 2016-2019, Abdurakhimov’s UFC career appears to have run its course. Three straight stoppages to Curtis Blaydes, Chris Daukaus and Sergei Pavlovich are terminal on paper – yet the drop in speed and punch resistance on tape are far more incriminating.
Almeida vs Abdurakhimov Prediction: Almeida TKO Round 1
After operating as one of the underrated stalwarts of the Heavyweight division throughout 2016-2019, Abdurakhimov’s UFC career appears to have run its course. Three straight stoppages to Curtis Blaydes, Chris Daukaus and Sergei Pavlovich are terminal on paper – yet the drop in speed and punch resistance on tape are far more incriminating.
Luan Lacerda vs Cody Stamann
Bantamweight (135)
Luan Lacerda (12-1)
UFC debutant, Luan Lacerda, is another Brazilian to earn a call-up before a partisan crowd. Lacerda has slowly spent his time emerging from the regional scene, evident by a third-round submission victory over Raulian Paiva in 2015. Lacerda’s only loss came in his second professional fight against long-time LFA fighter Ary Farias.
Cody Stamann (20-5-1)
Stamann is finally settling into his role as a Bantamweight gatekeeper. The stout wrestler is capable of controlling most prospects on the mat, but a lack of a finishing instinct often leaves avenues for opponents to regain a foothold. The 33-year-old is difficult to finish, yet Lacerda’s arsenal on the mat should not be written off.
Lacerda vs Stamann Prediction: Lacerda Decision
Stamann is finally settling into his role as a Bantamweight gatekeeper. The stout wrestler is capable of controlling most prospects on the mat, but a lack of a finishing instinct often leaves avenues for opponents to regain a foothold. The 33-year-old is difficult to finish, yet Lacerda’s arsenal on the mat should not be written off.
Terrance McKinney vs Ismael Bonfim
Lightweight (155)
Terrance McKinney (13-4)
McKinney’s frequent call-outs to Paddy Pimblett are becoming harder to ignore with every stoppage victory. T-Wrecks is best known for his blistering hand speed and power, yet last time out reminded folks about his submission prowess with a standing rear naked choke over Erick Gonzalez.
Ismael Bonfim (18-3)
DWCS alumni, Ismael Bonfim, is not a scrub thrown to the lions as is typical for UFC matchmakers. Bonfim has plied his trade professionally for over a decade, including sharing the ring with Renato Moicano back in 2014. As a decision merchant, Bonfim owns the gas tank to punish McKinney outside of the first round, but it’s easier said than done.
McKinney vs Bonfim Prediction: McKinney TKO Round 1
DWCS alumni, Ismael Bonfim, is not a scrub thrown to the lions as is typical for UFC matchmakers. Bonfim has plied his trade professionally for over a decade, including sharing the ring with Renato Moicano back in 2014. As a decision merchant, Bonfim owns the gas tank to punish McKinney outside of the first round, but it’s easier said than done.
Warlley Alves vs Nicolas Dalby
Welterweight (170)
Warlley Alves (14-5)
Guess which fighter set off Warlley Alves’ five-year win-one-lose-one streak? None other than our gambling guru, James Krause! Alves never kicked on to the heights of the sport expected for a fighter who stopped Colby Covington. Rather, the 32-year-old has struggled to set up traps for deadly power on the feet.
Nicolas Dalby (20-4-1)
Conversely, 38-year-old Nicolas Dalby has surprised many with his longevity in the sport. The Dane is a grinding wrestler who has managed to drag out affairs against much better fighters. Dalby is susceptible to eating damage early (*ahem* a first-round stoppage loss to Jesse Ronson), but this feels like a match-up that Dalby can ride out on the mat.
Alves vs Dalby Prediction: Dalby Decision
Alves never kicked on to the heights of the sport expected for a fighter who stopped Colby Covington. Rather, the 32-year-old has struggled to set up traps for deadly power on the feet. Dalby is nearing his 40s yet his grinding wrestling style seems tailor-made to control Alves on the mat.
Josiane Nunes vs Zarah Fairn
Women’s Featherweight (145)
Josiane Nunes (9-1)
Featherweight firecracker, Josiane Nunes, snapped his stoppage streak with a punishing decision victory over Ramona Pascual. At just 5’2″, it made sense that Josi would eventually hit a physical wall, but that isn’t to say that she cannot adapt to life at the UFC level.
Zarah Fairn (6-4)
It’s a surprise that the UFC has attempted to make matches for an 0-2 fighter for nearly three years. Fairn is an unknown quantity after spending so long outside of the octagon. Going off the Frenchwoman’s past two first-round stoppages inside the octagon, don’t expect many surprises from an ultra-conservative striker.
Nunes vs Fairn Prediction: Nunes TKO Round 1
It’s a surprise that the UFC has attempted to make matches for an 0-2 fighter for nearly three years. Granted, Fairn is an unknown quantity after spending so long outside of the octagon. Let’s be honest though, this stinks of a Nunes can-crushing job.
Daniel Marcos vs Saimon Oliveira
Bantamweight (135)
Daniel Marcos (13-0)
Undefeated Peruvian, Daniel Marcos, earned a UFC debut off the back of a comfortable decision win on the DWCS. Marcos appears to be a gem in the rough – plus athleticism, strong wrestling and a risk-averse style. A lack of quality competition leaves question marks over his future.
Saimon Oliveira (18-4)
Saimon Oliveira is a frenetic striker with several holes on the feet. Reserving himself to explosive single-shots, there is no educated pressure behind Oliveira’s forward momentum and often primes himself to walk onto hard counters – especially when he sluggishly turns himself into a spinning back fist. Oliveira’s top game is oppressive, yet his most threatening submissions are based around punishing sloppy takedowns.
Marcos vs Oliveira Prediction: Marcos Decision
Both fighters are equally sloppy, with Marcos’ plus athleticism identifiable as an edge. Oliveira’s submissions are based around punishing sloppy takedowns, however, an area that Marcos needs to tighten up before climbing the UFC rankings.
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