UFC Jacksonville live blog: Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira

Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

This is the UFC Jacksonville live blog for Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira, the light heavyweight headliner for Wednesday’s fight card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.

Smith returns 11 months after a win over three-time UFC title challenger Alexander Gustafsson, which follows a failed bid for the title held by Jon Jones. Teixeira has won three consecutive fights, most recently outpointing Nikita Krylov.

Check out the UFC Jacksonville live blog below.

Round 1: The third man in the cage for the main event is Jason Herzog. Smith comes out early and backs Teixeira up. Frenetic energy from both men to start but the punches have yet to land for either man. Smith lands a crisp right hand and looks to have a decided speed advantage over Teixeira. Another right hand from Smith and Smith is also pumping a jab regularly. Teixeira is trying to pressure but Smith is moving well on the outside. Teixeira lands a sharp left hook to the body. Teixeira backs Smith up to the cage and lands a good left hook with Smith tries to counter. Against the fence, Teixeira tries for a big uppercut and ends up hitting Smith low. That’s a new one and Smith is feeling it.

Smith takes his time to recover and the action resumes. Teixeira has a small cut on the bridge of his nose. Teixeira again with the frenetic energy but eats a clean right hand. Teixeira starting to target the body, while Smith is head hunting. Teixeira lands a leg kick, and another, and another. Smith lands a clean right hand down the pipe. Teixeira starting to have more success pressuring and Smith turns things around. Smith throws a high kick that Teixeira blocks and then Teixeira grans a single-leg but quickly abandons it. Smith’s right hand is landing with regularity but Teixeira is eating it well. Teixeira throws a spinning back kick that comes up short and the round ends.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Smith.

Round 2: More of the same to start round two. Smith’s jab is starting to be a big factor while Teixeira is starting to focus more on leg kicks and body work. Smith backs Teixeira up to the cage and goes for a spinning back elbow but misses. Smith is now throwing more kicks, perhaps in response to Teixeira’s kicks. Teixeira bull rushes forward and lands a few good shots before Smith can escape. Big right hand from Smith. These guys are really bring a high pace for a light heavyweight bout. Smith is just filling the space with punches and lands a MASSIVE right hand that has Teixeira’s eye swelling up immediately. Could be a broken orbital and now Teixeira isfighting with urgency. He hurts Smith with a right hand and Smith is now in full retreat. Teixeira is pouring on shots but Smith lands an elbow that stems the onslaught for a minute. Smith looks EXHAUSTED in there and Teixeira is looking fresh. Smith keeps throwing heat though and Smith is now getting stick on the fence. Huge spinning back kick to the body lands for Teixeira. What a round!

MMAFighting scores the round 10-9 Teixeira (19-19 overall).

Round 3: Smith is in desperate need of a second wind but Teixeira may need a new eye as his left eye is swollen up pretty good. Teixeira still looks fresh. Teixeira lands a bid body kick and Smith takes him down but they’re back to their feet again almost immediately. Smith eats a a huge right hand and he’s covering up! Teixeira rocks Smith again and this is disastrous. Smith drops and Teixeira is now on top pounding. Teixeira takes back mount and Smith is trying to survive! Teixeira is now in full mount and raining shots down but Smith is still working. Smith escapes but he’s still on the mat with Teixeira. Truly incredible that Smith is still in this fight and Teixeira seems to be slowing. Teixeira leaning on Smith and landing knees to the body while Smith is up against the cage. Teixeira gets a hook in and starts hammering Smith again. Smith is doing his best to defend but cannot escape. Smith is fighting the hands to stave off the choke but Teixeira has busted open Smith’s cauliflower ear with big punches. Teixeira keeps trying to slide the choke but cane and Smith scrambles to bottom half guard. Smith eating elbows but makes it to the end of the round.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-7 Teixeira (29-26 Teixeira overall).

Round 4: Honestly, considering the shellacking he just took, Smith is looking pretty okay. Teixeira looking spry though and lands another uppercut that hurts Smth again! Teixeira is in pursuit but Smith backs him up with another elbow. Now Smith is on the offensive but Teixeira lands another huge shot that hurts Smith. Smith drops on a single leg and now Teixeira is on top and pounding Smith from turtle position. Smith is now talking to Teixeira but it’s hard to tell what they’re saying. Teixeira is still looking for submissions but now let’s Smith back to his feet. Smith is busted open but lands a big one two. Teixeira lands a big right hand. Smith is clearly spent and Teixeira gets and easy takedown. Teixeira is now dropping elbows and Smith is in real trouble. Smith showing a ton of heart to stay in this but he’s clearly outmatched right now. Teixeira softening up Smith and briefly looks for an arm triangle before returning to punches. Smith is doing a hell of a job to stay alive but now Teixeira is in mount with 10 seconds left. Smith survives yet again to hear the horn but his corner should 100 percent stop this.

MMAFighting scores the round 10-7 Teixeira (39-33 Teixeira overall).

Round 5: Smith needs a stoppage now and really what he needs is a corner that wouldn’t let him back out there. Teixeira immediately backs Smith up to the fence and gets a takedown. Smith at least gets full guard and is working his legs but Teixeira is landing some big elbows and passes to side control and now full mount. Punches raining down and Jason Herzog finally steps in and does what Smith’s corner would not do, saving the battered fighter.

OFFICIAL DECISION: Glover Teixeira defeats Anthony Smith by TKO at 1:04 of Round 5.