4 takeaways from UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira

Glover Teixeira defeated Anthony Smith via fifth-round TKO in the UFC Fight Night main event Wednesday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.

Here are four takeaways from the event.

Another title run for Teixeira?

A win over Smith is huge for anyone, but it's especially helpful for someone like Teixeira.

Before Wednesday's result, Teixeira's chances of making another title run seemed slim. He's 40 years old, and though he entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak, it had been years since he'd beaten a top-ranked contender. But now, he will almost certainly return to the top five at 205 pounds.

It's still fairly clear Teixeira's best days are behind him, but the Brazilian reminded fans that counting him out is a bad idea - and that he still has what it takes to be a contender.

The light heavyweight division isn't exactly loaded; if Teixeira gets one more big win, it's possible he finds himself in a rematch with champion Jon Jones.

The dark horse at lightweight

Drew Dober put a beating on Alexander Hernandez in a main-card bout, stopping him via second-round TKO to record his third straight victory - and third straight finish.

After starting his UFC career in 2013 with a 3-4 (1 NC) record, the 31-year-old has turned things around to become a rising contender in the lightweight division. He's 6-1 in his past seven bouts, though he likely won't get his due for a while given the stacked nature of the 155-pound weight class.

But don't be fooled: Dober has made significant improvements over the past couple of years. He hits harder than he did before, he pressures his opponents very well, and he's tightened up his technique in the striking department. With that combination, Dober can give anyone in the lightweight division a tough fight, and I expect him to continue climbing the ladder over the next several months.

Johnson's frustration continues

Michael Johnson was the last man to beat Tony Ferguson before UFC 249 this past weekend. His resume features several other impressive wins, including a first-round knockout of former interim champion Dustin Poirier and a decision over perennial contender Edson Barboza.

Yet in recent years, "The Menace" has found himself in a bit of a slump. He's lost many bouts in frustrating and heartbreaking ways, and Wednesday was no different. He dominated Thiago Moises with his striking in the first round, but Moises immediately got Johnson to the mat with a surprise attack in the second and tapped him out with a heel hook.

Johnson has the skills to be a top lightweight contender: He's fast, explosive, and hard-hitting. The wins over Poirier and Barboza proved that. But he doesn't always show up, and he seems to get caught even when he's at his best - like when he lost to Josh Emmett in 2019 via third-round knockout after winning the first two rounds.

It doesn't seem likely that Johnson will turn things around and become a contender again at 155 pounds. One can only wonder what his career might've looked like if some of those near victories went the other way.

Some positives of the fan-less experience

Thousands of people cheering and clapping will always add a level of excitement to the broadcast, one that you just don't get without them. Still, after three straight UFC events without fans in attendance, there are some positives to emerge from the fan-less experience.

For starters, it was interesting to see that Sijara Eubanks could actually have a brief conversation with her coaches and respond to their advice during her women's bantamweight bout against Sarah Moras. It was hard to tell if that actually helped Eubanks, who won via unanimous decision, but it's fair to say she heard her corner's advice better than usual.

Additionally, there were no boos from fans after a close decision, and thus no need for a winning fighter to defend his or her victory. That was nice.

Finally, the in-cage sounds are more distinct when there are no fans in the venue. Every punch and kick seems 10 times louder, making the experience of watching a fight at home that much more visceral.