The UFC light heavyweight division is always one of the more competitive divisions as well as one of the most entertaining to watch. Glover Teixeira is the current champion in the division after beating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267.
There are a number of quality candidates to replace Teixeira by the end of the year. The question is can anyone actually do it and become the new UFC light heavyweight champion at the end of 2022?
Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
As mentioned, the 42-year-old Teixeira is the current champ. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he presents a stylistic challenge to most any contender. While there are also questions about his age, there is a bigger issue that affects whether or not Teixeira will be the light heavyweight champion at year’s end.
Having fought and captured the title at UFC 267 in October of last year, Teixeira is likely to have just one title defense in 2022. If he holds off the challenger, he is likely to be the champion at the end of 2022. Teixeira is not the favorite though and is given +400 odds to be the champ at the end of the year.
The Contender
The overall favorite to be the UFC light heavyweight champion at the end of 2022 is Jiri Prochazka. Listed at +275, Prochazka is expected to get the next title shot. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the division with a 28-3 record. Prochazka hasn’t lost a fight since 2015.
At 6-4 and 205 pounds, the Czech national is tough, aggressive and 29 years old. That youth may give him an edge against Teixeira should he get his title fight in 2022.
The Longshots
It seems almost a given that Prochazka will get his title fight. The bigger question is will another light heavyweight contender get a shot as well?
Blachowicz is currently ranked second behind Teixeira in the division rankings. Remember, he lost at UFC 267. He is listed at +575 to the be the champion at year’s end.
Another possible contender is Dominick Reyes who is a real longshot at +1400. The issue with Reyes is that after going 12-0 he has lost his last three fights in a row. He lost his last two to Blachowicz and Prochazka. Reyes getting a shot at a title just doesn’t seem likely.
Magomed Ankalaev, currently ranked ninth, is a fighter that could get a shot. He is 14-1 overall and will face Thiago Santos (+1000) on March 12. A win there and Ankalaev, who is listed at +300, could get a shot at the belt.
Santos might be the only true longshot that has a chance at pulling an upset. He lost to Jon Jones in UFC 239 and lost out on a shot at the light heavyweight title. He followed that up with a loss to Teixeira, but he beat Johnny Walker in his last fight and with a win over Ankalaev could get a shot at the title near year’s end.
Odds to Be UFC Light Heavyweight Champion at End of 2022
Jiri Prochazka +275
Alexander Rakic +300
Magomed Ankalaev +300
Glover Teixeira +400
Jan Blachowicz +575
Anthony Smith +1000
Thiago Santos +1000
Dominick Reyes +1400
Jamahal Hill +2000
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