The UFC light heavyweight division doesn't get as many headlines as it once did when star fighters such as Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier were holding the title. But that doesn't necessarily mean the weight class is worse off now than it was a few years back.
Skill for skill, Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira is a brilliant matchup for the UFC 205-pound title in the main event of UFC 267 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN+). Both have won five fights in a row.
Blachowicz, a technically sound powerhouse from Poland, is coming off a unanimous decision victory over middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 259 in March. Teixeira, a 42-year-old Brazilian fighter known for being well-rounded and incredibly durable, is making his return in his first title opportunity in seven years.
"They are two of the most underrated light heavyweights in history," said Fight Ready coach Eric Albarracin, who mentors Henry Cejudo, Zhang Weili, Deiveson Figueiredo and Patricio "Pitbull" Freire.
The UFC bantamweight division is also a bit in flux. Former champion Petr Yan takes on Cory Sandhagen for the interim 135-pound title in the co-main event.
Yan, a sturdy, multifaceted fighter from Russia, dropped the title via disqualification (illegal knee) to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. Yan vs. Sterling 2 was booked for this weekend, but Sterling withdrew because he would not have been ready to compete following neck surgery. Sandhagen, a flashy striker, is stepping in after a tight loss to former champion TJ Dillashaw in July.
Can Blachowicz further solidify himself as the top dog at light heavyweight? Or will Teixeira become only the third UFC fighter 40 years old or above to win gold? Can Yan put himself in position for that rematch against Sterling, or will Sandhagen swipe his spot as interim champ?
ESPN asked some of the top coaches in MMA to give their analysis and predictions.
Editor's note: Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.