The UFC is heading back to Lincoln, Nebraska. On Friday, the UFC announced an April 25 card in the mid-west city. In the main event will be a light heavyweight pairing featuring Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira.
Nebraska, we're back 👊
🦁 @LionheartASmith returns vs 🇧🇷 @GloverTeixeira in the main event of #UFCLincoln! pic.twitter.com/bJZnyPRSUy
— UFC (@ufc) January 24, 2020
In conjunction with the announcement, Smith was on EPSN to talk about the fight.
Smith (32-14) is looking to build his way back to a title shot after coming up short against Jon Jones last year. ‘Lionheart’ picked up a win over Alexander Gustafsson in his first post-title bout appearance last Summer. A win over Brazil’s Teixeira, another title challenger, would be a push in the right direction.
As for Teixeira (30-7), he has quietly put together a three-fight win streak, with victories over Karl Roberson, Ion Cutelaba, and Nikita Krylov. Now 40, it’s clear that while Teixeira is nearing the end of his career, he’s not about to go quietly.
Also announced for UFC Lincoln (UFC Fight Night 173) in a press release Friday is the flyweight debut of Cynthia Calvillo in the UFC. Calvillo (8-1-1) missed weight for her UFC on ESPN 7 fight with Marina Rodriguez last month, a fight that ended in a draw. She’ll take on Antonina Shevchenko (8-1), who is coming off a win over Lucie Pudilova at UFC on ESPN 5.
UFC Lincoln will take place at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 25, 2020. A full list of the bouts announced for the card Friday can be found below.
Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Antonina Shevchenko
Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
Andrew Sanchez vs Zak Cummings
Anthony Rocco Martin vs David Zawada
