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Welcome to this week’s edition of The Fight With Teddy Atlas Newsletter, your one stop shop for all things combat sports related, brought to you by Teddy and The Fight team.
Every Friday We Bring You:
A combat sports news digest with all the headlines you need to know from Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.
Highlights from the podcast and across the fight world.
Fight times and information you need to know ahead of time.
How to’s and tips for Boxing from Teddy himself.
Fight News From Around The 🌍
The Wait Is Over
Stop pinching yourself. It’s real.
Terence “Bud” Crawford and Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr will clash tomorrow night to determine the first undisputed welterweight champion of the four belt era, as well as arguably crowning the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
After years of back and forth, trash talk and rumours, the two best 147 lbs fighters in the world will face off in what is not just the biggest fight of the year so far, but one of the most anticipated non-heavyweight bouts of the last decade.
Crawford, already a 3 division world champion, has spent 5 years at welterweight as the WBO title holder looking for a marquee opponent to really put his stamp on the division.
“He hasn’t fought anyone at 147 lbs” has been the most common jab at him since his arrival at the weight class. Regardless of the result tomorrow night, he won’t be able to be labelled with that tag anymore.
Spence, the WBA, IBF and WBC champion, is the perfect rival. He’s been on a steady rise through the ranks since dethroning a then undefeated Kell Brook, taking scalps such as Shawn Porter, Yordenis Ugas and Danny Garcia on the way to his career defining showdown with Bud.
Both men are extremely confident in their respective skillsets, a confidence backed by their undefeated records. There was a concern amongst many fans that the fight would never come to pass, with talks of purse splits, different sides of the street, etc.
In the end, it was made, and Saturday night, we’ll get to witness the most anticipated welterweight fight since Mayweather Pacquiao.
Bring it on.
What to look for in the fight:
Body work. Errol Spence is one of the best body punchers in the sport and Spence he’ll need to use his jab and target Crawford's midsection to take away his counter-punching opportunities on the outside.
Make him pay. Spence sometimes overextends his left hand when going for body shots. Crawford can take advantage by setting traps and getting Spence to reach in, leaving himself open for counters.
Don’t take our word for it, check out the fight plan Teddy and Ken did below and get their expert analysis of the fight and the keys to victory for both men.
Odds (via MyBookie.AG)
We Meet Again
The UFC returns with another brilliant PPV event, as friend of the show Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje again in the main event, this time for the vacant BMF belt.
Dustin was the victor last time out when the two met in 2018, stopping the ever durable Gaethje in 4 rounds.
Both fighters have evolved since their first encounter, having both picked up notable wins in the division as well as interim title gold.
Whilst they aren’t putting it on the line for the main strap, the BMF title will hold weight when it comes to deciding the next challenger for the full title held by Islam Makhachev, who both men have yet to test themselves against.
The co-main event, rumoured to have been for the now vacant Light Heavyweight title, is a battle of former champions as Jan Blachowicz take on Alex Pereira in the latter’s debut in the division.
Both fighters have the rare distinction of having bested Israel Adesanya in an octagon, and it’s a shame that we only have 3 rounds to see these two talented technicians try and assert their superiority over each other.
Pereira will be looking to announce himself to the division in devastating fashion, whilst the ageing but still dangerous Blachowicz will be looking for a card to play in what will likely be a final run at the 205 lbs title.
Other fights to look out for on the card:
Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira
Michael Chiesa vs Kevin Holland
Tony Ferguson vs Bobby Green
What to look for in the fights:
Movement. Poirier’s lateral movement and angle creation is what set him apart from Gaethje last time out. Whilst both of their striking has evolved since, Poirier’s remains a level above.
Leg kicks. Gaethje has one of the most lethal leg kicks in the sport, and if he’s able to slow down Poirier in the first 2/3 rounds, it’ll pay dividends later in the fight.
Geography. Blachowicz will have seen the success Adesanya managed to have against Pereira on the mat in their first meeting, and given the nature of his victory against Stylebender, don’t be surprised if he goes for the takedown early on Saturday.
Fight ⏰ for this weekend
Boxing: Spence Jr vs Crawford (Saturday 29th/Sunday 30th)
🇺🇸 Full Card: 9pm Eastern/ 6pm Pacific | Main Event: 12am Eastern/ 9pm Pacific
🇬🇧 Full Card: 2am | Main Event: 5am
🇦🇺 Full Card: 6pm Eastern/ 4pm Western | Main event: 9pm Eastern/ 7pm Western
MMA: UFC 291 (Saturday 29th/Sunday 30th)
🇺🇸 Full Card: 10pm Eastern/ 7pm Pacific | Main Event: 12am Eastern/ 9pm Pacific
🇬🇧 Full Card: 3am | Main Event: 5am
🇦🇺 Full Card: 12pm Eastern/ 10am Western | Main event: 9pm Eastern/ 7pm Western