UFC 283
UFC 283: Teixeira vs. Hill was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that took place on January 21, 2023, at Jeunesse Arena (now Farmasi Arena) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[1] In the main event, American fighter Jamahal Hill defeated Brazilian champion Glover Teixeira via unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) over five rounds to claim the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, marking Hill as the first winner from the UFC's Contender Series to capture a UFC title.[2][3] The bout earned Fight of the Night honors and saw Teixeira, aged 43, announce his retirement immediately afterward.[4] The co-main event featured a UFC Flyweight Championship rematch between former champions Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo, with Moreno securing victory by TKO due to a doctor's stoppage from an eye injury at the end of the third round, reclaiming the title he had previously lost to Figueiredo.[2][3] This marked the fourth encounter in their rivalry, which had previously gone to decisions in three prior fights.[2] The event's main card also included notable victories such as Gilbert Burns submitting Neil Magny in the first round, Jéssica Andrade defeating Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision, and Johnny Walker knocking out Paul Craig in the opening round.[1] UFC 283 represented the promotion's return to Rio de Janeiro for the first time since UFC 237 in May 2019, drawing 13,604 spectators.[2][5] Among the preliminary bouts, Brazilian newcomers Ismael Bonfim and Gabriel Bonfim impressed with a second-round knockout and a first-round submission win, respectively, each earning $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses, while the full card featured 9 Brazilian fighters securing victories.[2][1] The event broadcast on ESPN+ PPV in the United States, with prelims airing on ESPN and ESPN+, highlighted Brazil's deep talent pool and served as the UFC's first numbered pay-per-view of 2023.[6]Event Background
Development and Announcement
UFC CEO Dana White announced UFC 283 on December 11, 2022, via social media, confirming the event would take place on January 21, 2023, at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[7][8] The announcement highlighted the promotion's return to Brazil after a hiatus caused by COVID-19 restrictions, marking the first UFC event in the country with live audiences since UFC 237 in May 2019.[9] Rio de Janeiro was selected as the host city due to its pivotal role in UFC's history in Brazil, where the promotion has hosted numerous high-profile events since its debut there in 2010. The Jeunesse Arena, known for its modern facilities, offered a capacity of approximately 15,000 for combat sports, making it suitable for the anticipated crowd.[10][11] Early fight bookings centered on championship bouts, beginning with the main event pitting former light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira against Jamahal Hill for the vacant title. This matchup was necessitated by incumbent champion Jiří Procházka's severe right shoulder injury, sustained during training in November 2022, which forced him to vacate the belt on November 23, 2022, and withdraw from his scheduled rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282.[7][12][13] The co-main event was announced as a flyweight title unification between champion Brandon Moreno and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo, concluding their historic four-fight rivalry that dated back to 2020.[14][15]Title Fights Context
The light heavyweight title became vacant in November 2022 when defending champion Jiří Procházka withdrew from a scheduled rematch against Glover Teixeira due to a severe shoulder injury sustained during training, which required surgery and sidelined him for nearly a year.[16][13] Procházka had captured the belt just five months earlier at UFC 275 in June 2022, submitting Teixeira with a rear-naked choke at 4:32 of the fifth round in a Fight of the Year contender that marked Teixeira's first submission loss in his 41-fight career and ended a six-fight winning streak.[17][18] The 42-year-old Brazilian, who had won the undisputed title in his previous bout at UFC 267 against Jan Błachowicz, was positioned for a chance to reclaim the championship he had held for less than six months.[19] Facing Teixeira for the vacant title was Jamahal Hill, an undefeated UFC prospect at 5-0 who had emerged as a top contender through a series of explosive knockout victories. Hill's breakthrough came with a first-round knockout of Jimmy Crute in December 2021, followed by a stunning 2:55 first-round knockout of ranked contender Johnny Walker in February 2022, which propelled him into the top 10. He solidified his status with a technical knockout of former title challenger Thiago Santos in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night in August 2022, earning Performance of the Night honors and positioning himself as the promotion's next big light heavyweight star.[20][21] In the co-main event, the flyweight division's storied rivalry reached its fourth chapter, with champion Deiveson Figueiredo defending against Brandon Moreno in the first tetralogy in UFC history. The pair's previous encounters were split 1-1-1: their initial clash at UFC 256 in November 2020 ended in a majority draw after Figueiredo submitted Moreno but missed weight; Moreno then claimed the title with a third-round rear-naked choke at UFC 263 in June 2021; and Figueiredo reclaimed it via unanimous decision at UFC 270 in January 2022.[22][23] Moreno, entering as the challenger, sought to become the first fighter to defeat the same opponent four times in the UFC and regain the belt he had held for seven months.[24] UFC 283 held broader significance as the promotion's first event in Brazil since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, restoring the country's prominence with two title fights featuring Brazilian mainstays Teixeira and Figueiredo on the card in Rio de Janeiro.[25] This return underscored Brazil's enduring role in UFC's global landscape, where the nation has produced multiple champions across divisions amid a post-pandemic resurgence in international events.[26]Promotion and Preparation
Promotional Events
The UFC promoted UFC 283 through a series of Embedded episodes, a vlog series that aired leading up to the event, highlighting the buildup to the main event rivalry between Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill. These episodes showcased Teixeira's extensive experience as a former champion returning to defend his legacy in his home country, contrasted with Hill's rising threat as a knockout artist seeking to claim the vacant light heavyweight title. For instance, Episode 1 featured Hill's knockout training sessions and Teixeira's emotional homecoming in Brazil, while Episode 3 captured their first face-to-face encounter during fight week.[27] Additional promotional videos emphasized the co-main event's intensity between flyweight contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, underscoring their ongoing rivalry in a potential title unification bout. These materials were distributed across UFC's digital platforms to build global anticipation. Media day activities took place on January 18, 2023, in Rio de Janeiro, where fighters participated in interviews and face-offs that were live-streamed on UFC's YouTube channel and social media outlets. Notable moments included Interim flyweight champion Brandon Moreno addressing and shushing hecklers from the crowd, as well as intense staredowns between Figueiredo and Moreno, and Teixeira and Hill, amplifying the event's tension.[28][29] The pre-fight press conference occurred on January 19, 2023, at 1 p.m. BRT in Rio de Janeiro, drawing attention to verbal exchanges among the main event and co-main event fighters. Teixeira and Hill traded comments on their contrasting styles and motivations, while Figueiredo and Moreno discussed their personal history and stakes in the flyweight division, fostering further hype.[30][1] UFC's marketing campaign highlighted the event as a cultural milestone, marking the promotion's return to Brazil after nearly three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with tie-ins celebrating Brazilian MMA heritage and local talent. Promotional content featured narratives around homegrown stars, including tributes to former featherweight champion José Aldo, whose legacy as a Rio icon was woven into the buildup to evoke national pride.[31][9][32] Adding to the event's prestige, during the UFC 283 broadcast on January 21, 2023, it was announced that José Aldo would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2023, recognizing his pioneering contributions to the sport in Brazil. This revelation, shared via a special video tribute, resonated deeply with the audience and elevated the card's historical significance.[33][34]Weigh-ins and Pre-Fight
The official weigh-ins for UFC 283 took place on January 20, 2023, at the UFC host hotel in Rio de Janeiro for the early session, followed by the ceremonial weigh-ins at Farmasi Arena (then known as Jeunesse Arena) later that day.[30] All 26 fighters successfully made weight for their bouts, with no misses reported, ensuring the full card proceeded without alterations.[35] In the light heavyweight title fight, Glover Teixeira weighed in at 205 pounds, while Jamahal Hill weighed in at 204.5 pounds, while the flyweight title participants, Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno, weighed in at 125 pounds each.[35] During the ceremonial weigh-ins, face-offs added to the anticipation, particularly between Teixeira and Hill, where the younger challenger Hill delivered a prolonged staredown at the veteran without any physical incident or escalation.[36] The event was open to the public, requiring a 1 kg non-perishable food donation for entry, which contributed to local excitement and resulted in the UFC collecting over six tons of donations.[37] Pre-fight medical examinations were conducted as standard protocol by the Rio de Janeiro Athletic Commission, with no disqualifications or concerns noted that impacted the card.[38]Results
Main Card
The main card of UFC 283 featured five high-profile bouts, including two championship fights, broadcast live from Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 21, 2023.[1] In the main event for the vacant light heavyweight title, Jamahal Hill defeated Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision (50–44, 50–44, 50–44) after five rounds.[2] Hill dominated the striking exchanges, landing 232 of 402 significant strikes (57% accuracy) compared to Teixeira's 75 of 160 (47%), while successfully defending 15 of 17 takedown attempts to secure the championship.[39] The co-main event was a flyweight title bout between champion Brandon Moreno and former champion Deiveson Figueiredo, concluding their rivalry series at 2-1-1 in Moreno's favor. Moreno won by TKO (doctor stoppage due to a cut) at 5:00 of Round 3, as Figueiredo's right eye sustained severe damage from strikes, forcing the referee to halt the contest.[2][2] In the welterweight bout, Gilbert Burns submitted Neil Magny with an arm-triangle choke at 4:15 of Round 1. Burns controlled the grappling exchanges, transitioning to the choke after a takedown to force the tapout.[2] In a light heavyweight grudge match, Johnny Walker stopped Paul Craig via TKO (strikes) at 2:16 of Round 1. Walker landed a knee in the clinch, dropping Craig and finishing with ground strikes.[2] The women's flyweight bout saw Jéssica Andrade defeat Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (30–25, 30–25, 30–26). Andrade controlled the pace with superior wrestling and striking volume, outlanding Murphy 128-72 in significant strikes across three rounds.[2] The event attracted an attendance of 13,604 spectators.[40]Preliminary Cards
The preliminary card for UFC 283, held on January 21, 2023, at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, consisted of 10 bouts divided between early preliminaries on ESPN+ and standard preliminaries on ESPN and ABC, highlighting emerging talents and veteran performances across multiple weight classes. These fights delivered a blend of finishes and decisions, contributing to the event's energetic atmosphere in front of 13,604 spectators.[2] Key highlights included dominant finishes in the early portion, where Brazilian heavyweight Jailton Almeida overwhelmed Shamil Abdurakhimov with superior grappling and ground control, securing a TKO via strikes at 2:56 of the second round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus for his undefeated Octagon run.[2][41] Similarly, lightweight Ismael Bonfim made a striking debut impression by landing a flying knee knockout against Terrance McKinney at 2:17 of the second round, also capturing a Performance of the Night award.[2][41] Welterweight Gabriel Bonfim, Ismael's brother, showcased quick submission skills by locking in a guillotine choke to defeat Mounir Lazzez just 49 seconds into the first round.[2] In bantamweight action, Daniel Marcos edged out Saimon Oliveira with a second-round TKO via strikes at 2:18, marking his strong UFC debut.[2] The bout between Warlley Alves and Nicolas Dalby went the distance, with Dalby taking a controversial split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds of back-and-forth exchanges.[2] Featherweight Josiane Nunes controlled Zarah Fairn en route to a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).[2] Shifting to the standard preliminary card, Thiago Moises submitted Melquizael Costa with a rear-naked choke at 4:05 of the second round in a lightweight clash defined by grappling prowess.[2] Middleweight Brunno Ferreira stunned Gregory Rodrigues with a first-round knockout punch at 4:13, capitalizing on an early exchange.[2] The light heavyweight opener saw Ihor Potieria halt Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's comeback attempt via TKO (strikes) at 4:05 of the first round, in what became Rua's final professional fight.[2] Bantamweight Cody Stamann outpointed Luan Lacerda by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a gritty three-round affair.[2]| Weight Class | Fighter 1 vs. Fighter 2 | Winner | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavyweight (Early Prelim) | Jailton Almeida vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov | Jailton Almeida | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 2:56 |
| Lightweight (Early Prelim) | Ismael Bonfim vs. Terrance McKinney | Ismael Bonfim | KO (flying knee) | 2 | 2:17 |
| Welterweight (Early Prelim) | Gabriel Bonfim vs. Mounir Lazzez | Gabriel Bonfim | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:49 |
| Welterweight (Early Prelim) | Nicolas Dalby vs. Warlley Alves | Nicolas Dalby | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Bantamweight (Early Prelim) | Daniel Marcos vs. Saimon Oliveira | Daniel Marcos | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 2:18 |
| Featherweight (Early Prelim) | Josiane Nunes vs. Zarah Fairn | Josiane Nunes | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight (Prelim) | Thiago Moises vs. Melquizael Costa | Thiago Moises | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 4:05 |
| Middleweight (Prelim) | Brunno Ferreira vs. Gregory Rodrigues | Brunno Ferreira | KO (punch) | 1 | 4:13 |
| Light Heavyweight (Prelim) | Ihor Potieria vs. Mauricio Rua | Ihor Potieria | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 4:05 |
| Bantamweight (Prelim) | Cody Stamann vs. Luan Lacerda | Cody Stamann | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) | 3 | 5:00 |