At UFC 275 on June 12, two titles will be on the line. Glover Teixeira defends the UFC light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka, while Valentina Shevchenko defends the UFC flyweight title against Taila Santos. The fights will be taking place in Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Outside of the title fights, the anticipated rematch between Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili will also be happening. Can they put on a repeat performance from their classic in 2020?
Other top fighters competing at UFC 275 are Manel Kape and Brendan Allen.
Sporting News takes a closer look at the entire UFC 275 card. Which fight stands out to you the most?
MORE: UFC 275 date, start time, odds, PPV schedule & card for Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
Glover Teixeira (c) vs. Jiri Prochazka for the UFC light heavyweight title
According to Palmerbet, Teixeira is the $2.67 underdog while Prochazka is the $1.48 favourite.
On the ground, Teixeira is one of the most dominant athletes in MMA. He averages 2.11 takedowns per minute and has a 39-per cent takedown accuracy rate. In his past six bouts, Teixeira's landed nine takedowns. During his six-fight win streak, the 42-year-old has submitted four of his opponents. Against Blachowicz, he found his opening against the bigger opponent and managed to slither his way onto his back.
Prochazka on his feet, however, is dangerous.
In two fights in the octagon, Prochazka has landed 110 shots. The precision and quantity in which he lands those shots, with 7.19 significant strikes per minute, is otherwordly and dangerous. His body is made of stone, as seen by 25 of his 28 wins coming by way of some form of knockout. Just look back at his beatdown of former UFC light heavyweight title contender Dominick Reyes.
Prochazka will also have a four-inch reach advantage over Teixeira, which may not bode well for the UFC veteran. Prochazka has proven he has what it takes to take down the UFC’s elite. Facing one of his biggest tasks to date, it doesn’t seem likely that he will falter under pressure.
Sporting News prediction: Prochazka via KO/TKO (Round 3) (-145)
Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Taila Santos for the UFC flyweight title
Per Palmerbet, Shevchenko is the massive $1.16 favourite, and Santos is the $5.30 underdog.
"Bullet" is an unstoppable machine as a striker, landing 3.21 strikes per minute. In what may be a surprise to some, Santos has landed 3.71. Something to consider, however, is the volume of blows Shevchenko lands. She landed 98 shots compared to 11 against Lauren Murphy, 32 compared to 10 against Jessica Andrade, and 62 compared to 36 against Jennifer Maia. Shevchenko will break you down, dismantle you, and put you back together so she can do it again.
Santos is heavy-handed and can shift her opponent's momentum to her advantage. Santos' boxing ability is unique in its own right. When she smells blood, she’ll go for the attack. Shevchenko, who rarely makes a mistake on her feet, will make it tough for Santos to accomplish that.
One aspect of the fight that will be extremely interesting is on the ground. Santos has landed 11 takedowns in her past four bouts. She holds a takedown accuracy rate of 86 percent. Santos’ underhook and body lock positions have helped drag her opponent down and have often left them stuck. Since her second loss against Amanda Nunes, Shevchenko has landed 28 takedowns in eight fights.
While Santos is confident in her takedown ability, Shevchenko is on another level. Can Santos pull off the upset? It's possible, but are you willing to take that risk? It will be hard to convince anyone that Shevchenko won't be walking out the winner.
Sporting News prediction: Shevchenko via TKO (round 2) (+110)
Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2 (Strawweights)
Per Palmerbet, Jedrzejczyk is the $2.40 underdog while Zhang is the $1.58 favourite.
This is a rematch from their epic 2020 encounter where both combined for 351 significant strikes. Considered the "Fight of the Year" by a majority of MMA media, Zhang and Joanna went to war for five rounds. Years later, these two fight one more time, with relevancy in the strawweight division on the line. This is Joanna’s first fight back since that clash, while Zhang, like Joanna, has lost two in a row to Rose Namajunas.
Jedrzejczyk has a two-inch reach advantage. The volume of shots she lands, averaging 6.30 significant strikes per minute, is on another level. In her past five fights, she has landed 651 shots. Zhang lands 5.47 significant strikes per minute. She hit her previous five opponents 347 times.
Joanna is motivated after losing to Zhang last time out. A key factor against Joanna will be the time away from the octagon. While she has been training hard this year at American Top Team, Joanna has not been active since 2020. Zhang, despite the losing streak, has been. That could very well favor her. As far as a winner is concerned, Joanna could upset the oddsmakers. How likely is that? The fight could very well go the distance. Zhang should once again walk out of the octagon the winner. Can they repeat the magic they had back when the world was somewhat normal?
Sporting News prediction: Zhang via unanimous decision (+135)
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Rogerio Bontorin vs. Manel Kape (Flyweights)
Bontorin is the $2.85 underdog, and Kape is the $1.43 favourite.
This is a make-or-break fight for Bontorin, who is 0-3 with one no-contest in his past four bouts. He won against Matt Schnell in 2021, but the fight was overturned after he tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide. Kape, a former RIZIN bantamweight champion, is on a two-fight win streak after going 0-2 to start his UFC career.
Kape has averaged 4.69 significant strikes per minute and averages 0.77 takedowns. Bontorin lands 2.63 significant strikes. Kape is finally reaching the potential in the UFC everyone predicted he would have. The odds are in his favor for a reason, and it may very well be Bontorin who will be the sacrificial lamb for him.
Sporting News prediction: Kape via KO/TKO
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Ramazan Emeev (Welterweights)
Emeev is the $2.31 underdog while Maddalena is the $.162 favourite.
Maddalena is 2-0 in the UFC, landing 108 shots in his debut against Ange Loosa. Emmev is 5-2 in the UFC after a stint in M-1 where he was middleweight champion. On the ground, Emeev has the edge by averaging 2.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. He also has a three-inch reach advantage.
Will age play a factor in the fight? Maddalena, born in 1996, is riding a winning streak, while Emeev, 35, is 2-2 in his past four. The UFC has high hopes for Maddalena, and his momentum may carry over to this fight.
Sporting News prediction: Maddalena via split decision
Jacob Malkoun vs. Brendan Allen (Middleweights)
Allen is the $1.30 favourite while Malkoun is the $3.56 underdog.
Both fighters are 26, but Allen has much more of an edge experience-wise. Allen is 18-5 and 7-2 in the UFC, while Malkoun is 6-1 and 2-1 with the promotion. Malkoun has impressed with 14 takedowns in two fights.
While Allen hasn't landed as many takedowns in that period, his ability to slip in there and submit an opponent (10 wins via submission) is fascinating. Allen is an overall solid fighter on the ground and on the feet. It would be wise to listen to the oddsmakers and favor Allen.
Sporting News prediction: Allen via submission
MORE: MMA Schedule 2022: Date, division, location for upcoming fights
Seung Woo Choi vs. Joshua Culibao (Featherweights)
Choi is the $1.41 favourite while Culibao is the $2.93 favorite.
Culibao is 1-1-1 in the UFC since his days in Urban and HEX. Choi is 3-3 in the UFC and was deducted a point in his fight with Alex Caceres for using an illegal knee. Despite that, his stats favor his cause, as Choi lands 3.38 significant strikes per minute, while Culibao lands 2.92.
Choi also has a small grappling advantage, with 0.88 average takedowns per 15 minutes and a 57-percent takedown accuracy. If he can manage to remain calm through the fight, Choi can leave the octagon with the win.
Sporting News prediction: Choi via unanimous decision
What time does UFC 275 start today?
UFC 275 is set to take place on Sunday, June 12.
- Start time: 8am AEST
- Prelims: 10am AEST
- Main card (PPV): 12pm AEST
- Main event: 2:15pm AEST (approx.)
UFC 275 takes place on Sunday, June 12. The early prelims kick off the event at 8am AEST. The prelims will begin at 10am AEST and the main card will start at midday AEST. Teixeira and Prochazka should make their way to the octagon some time after 2pm AEST, depending on the length of the undercard bouts.
How to watch UFC 275: Teixeira vs. Prochazka
- ESPN, Main Event, Kayo Sports
The main card for UFC 275 is available in Australia on Main Event and Kayo Sports.
Purchase UFC 275 on Kayo here.
The prelims, beginning at 10am AEST, will be shown live on ESPN, while the early prelims can be found on streaming service UFC Fight Pass from 8am.
Teixeira vs. Prochazka price: How much does UFC 275 cost in Australia?
- $54.95 AUD
In Australia, the UFC 275 main card is available via pay-per-view on Main Event and Kayo Sports. The PPV price for UFC 277 is $54.95 for Australian viewers.
Where is UFC 275?
UFC 275 will take place at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
It will be the company's first visit to the arena since 2019, when Demian Maia submitted Ben Askren in the main event of a Fight Night card.
The venue has a capacity of around 12,000.
UFC 275 fight card
Main card
- Glover Teixeira (c) vs. Jiri Prochazka for the UFC light heavyweight title
- Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Taila Santos for the UFC flyweight title
- Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk 2; Strawweights
- Rogerio Bontorin vs. Manel Kape; Flyweights
- Jack Della Maddalena vs. Ramazan Emeev; Welterweights
Prelims
- Brendan Alln vs. Jacob Malkoun; Middleweights
- Choi Seung-Woo vs. Joshua Culibao; Featherweights
- Maheshate vs. Steve Garcia; Featherweights
- Andre Fialho vs. Jake Matthews; Welterweights
FIGHT PASS prelims
- Kang Kyung-ho vs. Danaa Batgerel; Bantamweights
- Liang Na vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez; Strawweights
- Ramona Pascual vs. Joselyne Edwards; Bantamweights
