Organisers have released the fight card for the highly anticipated UFC 282 event that will take place on 10th December at the T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas in the United States. In this post, we’re going to take a look at what fights are on the card and then go into the main card to preview each fight. We may even make a couple of predictions along the way if we’re feeling lucky.

But first, let’s take a look at what is on the card for UFC 282.

UFC 282 Fight Card

UFC 282 Early Prelims

  • Chris Curtis (29-9-0) vs Joaquin Buckley (15-5-0)
  • Billy Quarantillo (16-4-0) vs Alexander Hernandez (13-5-0)
  • Edmen Shahbazyan (11-3-0) vs Dalcha Lungiambula (11-5-0)

UFC 282 Preliminary Card

  • Darren Till (18-4-1) vs Dricus Du Plessis (17-2-0)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. (6-0-0) vs Jay Perrin (10-6-0)
  • Alexander Gustafsson (18-8-0) vs Ovince Saint Preux (26-16-0)

UFC 282 Main Card

  • Paddy Pimblett (19-3-0) vs Jared Gordon (19-5-0)
  • Jan Błachowicz (29-9-0) vs Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-0)
  • Jiří Procházka (29-3-1) vs Glover Teixeira (33-8-0)

Now time for the fights we’re most looking forward to at UFC 282:

Jiří Procházka Vs. Glover Teixeira

The UFC 282 headline is the Fight between Jiří Procházka and Glover Teixeira, battling for the light heavyweight title. 

In their last encounter at UFC 275 in June, Jiri submitted the Brazilian Teixeira in the fifth round in a thrilling match. The Brazilian seeks to take back his title, while the Czech will aim to defend it at all costs. 

In the recent media conference, Procházka (29-3-0) stated that his last match with Teixeira was his worst performance despite winning and will unleash the best game during their next meeting. His victory over the experienced Brazilian earned him a 3-0 UFC record. Before this loss, Teixeira was on a six-match winning streak stretching back to 2018 summer.

This will be an incredible fight that can go either way, considering the quality and experience of each player. However, most bookmakers have picked Procházka as their favourite.

Jiří Procházka Vs. Glover Teixeira headline UFC 282

Robbie Lawler Vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

Welterweight veterans Santiago Ponzinibbio from Argentina and American Robbie Lawler will also face each other in the co-main event sport. 

Ponzinibbio’s injury in 2019 led to the cancellation of the anticipated UFC 245 fight, but if everything goes well, fans can enjoy the Fight on 10th December 2022. 

Since losing the welterweight title in 2016, Lawler has been through hard times inside the Octagon. He has ruthlessly lost five of his last seven battles

In July 2022, Lawler (29-15 MMA) and (14-9 UFC lost via TKO in the second round to Bryan Barberena at UFC 276 main card, which was declared Fight of the Night. However, he defeated Nick Diaz, former strike force champion at UFC 266 in 2021 through TKO, and the 40-year-old fighter still looks solid and dangerous to every opponent.

Ponzinibbio, on his part, comes into this game from a two-match losing streak via split decision. In May this year, he lost to Brazilian Michel Pereira in a battle that won the Fight of the Night award. Numerous injuries since 2018 have affected his match fitness, and he hopes to be physically and mentally fit for next month’s bout. He has always hoped for an opportunity to fight with Lawler. 

Paddy Pimblett Vs. Jared Gordon

In another UFC 282 bout and the one we’re most looking forward to, popular British lightweight Paddy Pimblett will be up against American Jared Gordon. Pimblett (19-3) will be fighting in the presence of a crowd for the first time in Las Vegas, as his previous appearance went down in front of a limited audience at the Apex facility.

He is a former Cage Warriors Champion and has created a big name for himself in just three UFC appearances, where he has thrashed his opponents in style. He finished Kazula Vargas and Luigi Vendramini in the first round and Jordan Leavitt in the second round.

This time Pimblett will be facing an experienced Gordon (19-5) who has eleven-year professional-fighting experience. However, Pimblett can pick motivation from his opponent’s struggle for wins, almost all of which had been via decision.

Paddy Pimblett Vs. Jared Gordon at UFC 282

Bryce Mitchel Vs. Ilia Touria

Another exciting clash will feature American Bryce Mitchell and Georgian Ilia Topuria in a featherweight bout. The rising stars, represented by First Round Management, promise a thrilling battle. Both are undefeated, Mitchel posting a 15 – 0 record and Topuria 12 – 0.

In March 2022, Mitchel defeated Barboza via decision at UFC 272, and the 28-year-old wrestling and grappling techniques make him an exciting fighter to watch.

Topuria, however, has a 4 – 0 record in UFC, including three knockout finishes. The 25-year-old has won eleven of his twelve career victories and promises Mitchel the battle of his life on 10th December.

Darren Till Vs. Dricus du Plessis

Another famous Englishman, Darren Till, will square off with South Africa’s sensational Dricus du Plessis in a middleweight bout. Things have not been good for Darren since earning a welterweight title in 2018. He has been beaten in four of his last five battles, which is attributed to injuries. 

He is a world-class fighter who commands much respect from the MMA fraternity and is a serious contender for the title. His narrow loss to Robert Whittaker in July 2020 showed he still can take down elite fighters. What remains to be seen is whether he will be physically and mentally fit in this match. 

Darren’s opponent has enjoyed a successful start to his UFC journey and is a former division two EFC champion. His never say die mentality makes him one of the most formidable opponents for any fighter, so Darren has to be very cautious with him. 

The UFC 282 promises exciting battles which you should not miss.

For more fight previews check out our Combat Sports section.