UFC 283 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Teixeira vs. Hill
The UFC light heavyweight championship will find a new home when Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill meet in the main event of UFC 283 from Rio de Janeiro.
The organization is returning to Brazil, and former champion Teixeira will have an opportunity to win back the belt he lost to Jiří Procházka. For Hill, it's a chance to break into the elite of the light heavyweight division.
Procházka's reign as champion hit a snag. A shoulder injury has sidelined him indefinitely and prompted him to drop the title. Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz were given the opportunity to claim the belt, but they fought to a draw at UFC 282, leaving the title without an owner.
UFC 283 will bring some resolution to the division while we await the return of the former champion.
It will also bring the culmination of one of the great rivalries of the era. Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo will meet for a fourth time in a series that has yet to disappoint. With the two fighters going 1-1-1 against each other, the winner will take all, as well as the flyweight championship.
Here's a look at the complete card and predictions for the biggest fights.
Fight Card, Schedule and Odds
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Main Card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)
- Glover Teixeira +120 (bet $100 to win $120) vs. Jamahal Hill -140 (bet $140 to win $100) — vacant light heavyweight championship
- Deiveson Figueiredo (c) +105 vs. Brandon Moreno (ic) -125 — flyweight championship
- Gilbert Burns -475 vs. Neil Magny +380
- Lauren Murphy +370 vs. Jéssica Andrade -460
- Paul Craig +160 vs. Johnny Walker -190
Prelims (ABC/ESPN at 8 p.m. ET)
- Mauricio Rua +175 vs. Ihor Potieria -205
- Gregory Rodrigues -305 vs. Brunno Ferreira +255
- Thiago Moisés -380 vs. Melquizael Costa +310
- Shamil Abdurakhimov +625 vs. Jailton Almeida-900
- Gabriel Bonfim -175 vs. Mounir Lazzez +150
Early Prelims (UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. ET)
- Luan Lacerda +300 vs. Cody Stamann -365
- Ismael Bonfim +105 vs. Terrance McKinney -125
- Warlley Alves -125 vs. Nicolas Dalby +105
- Josiane Nunes -500 vs. Zarah Fairn +400
- Saimon Oliveira -150 vs. Daniel Marcos +130
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Teixeira Wears Down and Submits Hill
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There's no question that Saturday night will be the biggest test of Jamahal Hill's career.
To this point, Thiago Santos is the best fighter that Hill has seen. Marreta has fought some of the biggest names in the division and has devastating power. But he was 39 when they fought and had lost four of his last five fights.
Teixeira has already worn UFC gold and has fought every big name in the division for the last 10 years. There's no comparing the experience of the two men.
Granted, Hill has earned the right to be in this spot. He's finished each of his last three opponents and the division is short on new names to enter the title mix.
But the disparity does raise questions about Hill's ability to answer when things get difficult. Even under the best circumstances, Teixeira is a tough out. He isn't the best athlete and doesn't possess fight-changing power, but he's a grinder.
Teixeira's ability to take punishment and keep moving forward all while threatening with strong grappling and sneaky submissions makes him a taxing opponent to deal with.
It all could be a recipe for a slight upset. Hill is a talented fighter, and it won't be surprising if this isn't his last crack at the championship, but it's unclear if he's really ready for what the Brazilian brings to the table.
Prediction: Teixeira via fourth-round submission
Moreno Edges out Figueiredo in Another Classic
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Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo are Batman and Joker. They just seem destined to keep duking it out as long as they are fighting.
It's rare that there could actually be demand for a pair of fighters to meet four times, but Moreno-Figueiredo is the exception. Both have done more than enough to make it evident they are deserving of fighting for the title, and all three fights have delivered for the fans.
The fact that they've split the first three 1-1-1 doesn't hurt, either.
This fight might be the hardest to pick on the entire card just because there are nearly unprecedented levels of familiarity between the two. They have proved to be equals over the course of their trilogy, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Overall, Moreno is a better round winner, whereas Figueiredo is the more powerful fight finisher.
Unless Figueiredo lands the most substantial blow of the rivalry to date, it feels like this one is going to a decision. That tips the scales ever-so-slightly to Moreno.
Prediction: Moreno via decision
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Burns Earns Emphatic Win over Magny
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If Gilbert Burns has legitimate title aspirations, he's running out of time.
The 36-year-old earned a shot at Kamaru Usman in February 2021 after a six-fight winning streak, including wins over Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia. However, he came up short against Usman and has split fights since, beating Stephen Thompson and losing to Khamzat Chimaev.
Ultimately, Burns' loss to Chimaev was much closer than anticipated. That counts for something, but it's not enough to make a compelling case for title shots. If Burns wants to get back in that mix, he needs wins, and he needs them to be decisive.
His main card bout with Neil Magny is a great opportunity.
Magny has long been a solid veteran in the welterweight division, but it's hard to make the argument he's crossed that threshold. He has a ton of wins but has become more known for his longevity than ability to beat the best of the best in the division.
He has skills everywhere, but Burns has the ability to finish a fight anywhere. His boxing comes with good one-punch power, and he can tap anyone on the ground who isn't careful.
Burns has something to prove in this spot.
Prediction: Burns via second-round TKO
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