UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixiera is a stacked card from top to bottom with two title bouts. Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen will face off for the interim bantamweight belt in the co-main event, and Jan Blachowicz will have a chance to defend his light heavyweight belt against Glover Teixiera. Read below for my UFC Prediction for Li Jingliang vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC Welterweight bout
Saturday, October 30, 2021 – 02:00 PM EDT at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi
Li “the Leech” Jingliang is a Chinese mixed martial artist currently ranked #11 in the UFC welterweight division.
Li made his professional debut in 2007 and went on to compile a record of 8-2 before signing with the UFC. During that time, Li became a one time Legend FC Champion.
After being released by Legend FC, Li then signed with the UFC and made his debut in May 2014 against David Michaud. The Leech won via split decision.
All of Li’s professional accomplishments include: Black belt in BJJ, 2013 1st place in China Open Jiu-Jitsu Tournament, Legend FC Welterweight Championship, UFC fight of the Night (two times), and UFC Performance of the Night (four times).
Khamzat “Borz” Chimaev is a Russian-born Swedish professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC welterweight and middleweight divisions. Chimaev is a three-time Swedish National Champion in wrestling, and also has a blue belt in BJJ.
Chimaev started wrestling at the age of 5, and won a bronze medal at the Russian National Championships in the junior level. When Chimaev turned 23 years old, he then transitioned to MMA.
Borz went 3-0 before going professional; his first professional bout was under the International Ring Fight Arena against Gard Olve Sagen and won via TKO in the second round.
In 2018, Chimaev signed with Brave Combat Federation. He made his debut against Benjamin Bennett and won via TKO in the first round. He went 4-0 in Brave CF, and was signed with the UFC in 2020. He made his UFC debut against John Phillips and won via submission in the second round.
Chimaev has a long list of accomplishments including: 6 Swedish Wrestling Federation medals, 2020 Breakout Fighter of the Year, Brave CF Knockout of the Night (one time), UFC Performance of the Night (three times), record for fastest consecutive wins in modern UFC history (10 days), record for quickest three fight win streak in modern UFC history (66 days), and more.
The current UFC Odds for this matchup at your top sportsbooks are: Khamzat Chimaev -650 and Li Jingliang +425 via Betonline (Visit our BetOnline Review).
Chimaev has had a year long layoff after becoming ill with COVID-19. In his previous bout before his layoff, he defeated Gerald Meerschaert via knockout in the first round. Chimaev is known for his aggressive knockout power. All of his professional wins have been inside the distance - 6 by T/KO and 3 by submission.
Li has proven so far how tough his chin is since he has never been finished via T/KO. His only weakness against Chimaev would be on the ground. Li is the type of fighter that is constantly moving and could be tough to read, but when it comes to grappling or wrestling-heavy opponents, this could make him more questionable when entering the pocket.
Li should be able to stay durable while on the feet, but once Chimaev brings the fight to the ground, then Chimaev could apply the pressure and gain a ground and pound or submission finish.
My main concern is the recovery of Chimaev. However, when a fighter is eager to return to the octagon and fight, that’s usually a good sign. And Chimaev, well, he is a beast. He is too lethal of a fighter to fade.
I do not see Li finishing Chimaev, and I’m 50/50 on whether Chimaev can finish this standing or on the ground. Because I am 50/50 and also Chimaev is incredibly juiced, I will result in the MMA Props.
UFC Pick: Khamzat Chimaev Inside the Distance -175 via BetOnline (Visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.