STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – JUNE 01: Anthony Smith prepares to enter the Octagon prior to his light … [+]
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On Wednesday, former UFC light heavyweight title challengers Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira face off in the main event of the UFC on ESPN+ 29 fight card. Smith, who comes in as the No. 3-ranked 205-pounder according to the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, is coming off a fourth-round submission win over three-time UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson.
Teixeira, who checks in as the No. 8 ranked fighter in the light heavyweight division, has won his past three outings. Teixeira’s most recent victory was a September triumph over Nikita Krylov.
Smith’s shot at the UFC title came in March 2019. Smith, a former middleweight competitor, moved up to light heavyweight in June 2018. His first two fights in his new weight class came against ex-UFC titleholders.
Smith knocked out Rashad Evans inside the first minute of their meeting. He followed that with a 89-second KO of Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. In his third fight at light heavyweight, Smith submitted former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir in the third round of their October 2018 matchup. Smith dropped a decision to current champion Jon Jones in March 2019.
Teixeira title fight setback also came at the hands of Jones. Teixeira lost a decision to Jones in their title fight in 2014. He has gone 8-4 since that defeat and has won his past three outings. Teixeira has not won four fights in a row since he ran up a 20-fight winning streak between 2006 and 2013. Jones ended that impressive run.
How To Watch or Live Stream UFC On ESPN+ 29:
UFC On ESPN+ 29 takes place Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+.
UFC On ESPN+ 29 Main Card (ESPN+)
Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
Ben Rothwell vs. Ovince Saint Preux
Alexander Hernandez vs. Drew Dober
Ricky Simon vs. Ray Borg
Karl Roberson vs. Marvin Vettori
UFC On ESPN+ 29 Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
Andrei Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins
Michael Johnson vs. Thiago Moises
Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
Gabriel Benítez vs. Omar Antonio Morales Ferrer
Hunter Azure vs. Brian Kelleher
Chase Sherman vs. Isaac Villanueva