The first numbered event of 2023 takes place in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours of Sunday morning with two titles on the line at UFC 283.
Former champion Glover Teixeira faces Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event, after the belt was vacated by Jiri Prochazka in order to undergo surgery on a serious shoulder injury in November.
Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz stepped up to compete for the strap at UFC 282, but they fought out a contentious split draw.
That means the belt is still up for grabs as Teixeira and Hill prepare to battle it out for glory this weekend.
The co-main event also has a title on the line when flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and interim champion Brandon Moreno meet. It’s a historic bout in the UFC as two rivals go at it for the fourth time of asking and this quadrilogy hasn’t been short on drama.
They fought to a draw in the first meeting at UFC 256, before Moreno sealed a submission win in the rematch, however, Figueiredo earned revenge in the third contest to reclaim the title via a decision.
There’s also British interest on the card as Scotland’s Paul Craig looks to get his light heavyweight title hopes back on track when he faces Brazil’s Johnny Walker.
UFC 283 Betting Tips
Glover Teixeira to win @ 11/10
Teixeira won the light heavyweight title after beating Blachowicz by submission at UFC 267 but he failed to successfully defend the strap, losing to Prochazka next time out at UFC 275.
The Brazilian hasn’t fought since that defeat but he’s back in the frame for the gold and looks good value to have it around his waist on Sunday.
#7 ranked Hill will be standing across the octagon after winning three in a row, beating Jimmy Crute, Walker and Thiago Santos.
The American has earned a reputation for being one of the most formidable punchers in the division, claiming seven of his 11 victories by KO or TKO.
However, he is yet to seal a win via submission and he is extremely vulnerable if the fight ends up on the canvas. That plays firmly into the hands of Teixeira, who will be keen to deliver for his home fans in Brazil, as he looks to utilise his jiu-jitsu.
Teixeira has 10 submission wins on his record and will be looking to take this contest down to the ground before getting to work.
Brandon Moreno to win @ 4/5
The flyweight division has been dominated by Figueiredo and Moreno for the past two years, since their first meeting at UFC 256 in December 2020.
Figueiredo held the belt when they first stepped into the octagon together, having won the vacant title with a TKO victory over Joseph Benavidez in July 2020.
After one successful defence, the Brazilian came up against Moreno and he went on to retain the belt after a draw, despite being deducted a point in the bout.
Moreno came back to win the rematch, but Figueiredo won the trilogy fight, further demonstrating how closely matched they are.
Figueiredo hasn’t competed since that triumph due to injury, spending a year outside of the octagon, while Moreno has seen off Kai Kara-France in the meantime to claim the interim belt.
In truth, this could go either way, but Figueiredo’s inactivity could prove to be a big factor and Moreno is the pick to come out on top.
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