UFC Fight Night 28 preview: 25 pre-fight facts for 'Teixeira vs. Bader'

The UFC returns to Brazil for the fifth time this year for Wednesday’s “UFC Fight Night 28: Teixeira vs. Bader” event at Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

As is becoming tradition for events in the MMA-crazed country, the fight card is loaded with matchups that pit Brazilian fighters against foreigners from around the globe.

To date, through the UFC’s eight events in the country, Brazilians hold a 42-12 edge against foreign opposition, a number that leads many to wonder if this trend is permanent or if those coming into the country will be able to even the playing field.

The three highest-billed fights on the card pit a foreigner against a Brazilian as “The Ultimate Fighter 8? winner and American wrestler Ryan Bader (15-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) looks to thwart the title hopes of rising contender Glover Teixeira (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in the main event, Japanese veteran Yushin Okami (29-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) attempts to derail the momentum of Ronaldo Souza (18-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the co-main event, and in an important flyweight affair, American Joseph Benavidez (18-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) searches for a third straight win when he meets Jussier Formiga (15-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

It’s an accomplishment in itself to beat a Brazilian in his home country, but it’s no easy feat, and with a Brazil vs. the world matchup going down in nine of the 11 slated contests, fans could be in store for another night of night of home-field dominance.

So without further ado (and with the help of the good people at FightMetric), it’s on with 25 pre-fight facts about UFC Fight Night 28.

MAIN EVENT

Teixeira’s four-fight UFC winning streak is the third longest among active light heavyweights behind champion Jon Jones (nine) and Alexander Gustafsson (six).

Teixeira’s 19-fight MMA winning streak is second longest among active UFC fighters behind lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim bantamweight champ Renan Barao, who each have 20 consecutive MMA wins.

Teixeira outlanded Fabio Maldonado 85 to 10 in significant strikes at UFC 153. His +75 strike differential is the third largest margin ever in a light heavyweight bout.

Teixeira has earned 50.5 percent of his significant strikes on the ground, the largest proportion of any fighter in light heavyweight history (min. 350 significant strike attempts).

Bader is owner of the fastest submission in UFC light heavyweight history, a 50-second tap-out of Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC on FOX 6.

Bader’s six knockdowns landed in UFC light heavyweight competition are tied for the fourth most in history.

Bader’s 73.5 percent significant strike defense rate is the highest in UFC light heavyweight history (min. of five UFC fights). “Darth” absorbs just 1.63 significant strikes per minute, the fourth best rate among active light heavyweights (min. five fights).

CO-MAIN EVENT

Okami will compete in his 18th UFC middleweight bout, the second most in organizational history behind Chris Leben (21). Okami’s 3:13:55 of total fight time inside the octagon is the most ever for a UFC middleweight.

Okami’s 13 middleweight victories are the most in divisional history and also tied for fifth most all-time in UFC history.

Okami’s 84.4 percent takedown defense rate is the third highest in UFC middleweight history behind Francis Carmont (85.7 percent) and Constantinos Philippou (88.9 percent). The Japanese fighter’s 27 completed takedowns are tied for third most in middleweight history.

Okami has controlled his opponents for 1:20:37 inside the octagon, the second largest amount of control time in middleweight history (Chael Sonnen is first with 1:31:27).

Okami’s 1,032 total strikes landed are the third most in UFC middleweight history behind Chael Sonnen (1,300) and Chris Leben (1,780). His 487 significant strikes landed are also third most in 185-pound history.

Souza has submitted his opponent in 14 of his 15 professional victories, with 12 coming in the first round. His four submission victories under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner are tied for second most in the promotion’s history.

Souza’s 25 completed takedowns in Strikeforce competition are the second most in the promotion’s history. Pat Healy with leads the category with 28.

Souza’s 53.2 percent takedown accuracy rate is third highest in Strikeforce history (min. five Strikeforce fights and 20 takedown attempts).

REMAINING MAIN CARD

UFC Fight Night 28 marks the first event since the UFC flyweight division was introduced at UFC on FX 3 in March 2012 where a main card will feature two 125-pound matchups.

Benavidez’s three UFC flyweight victories are the second most in the division’s history.

Formiga’s only career losses come to top-ranked UFC flyweight contenders John Dodson and Ian McCall.

Francisco Trinaldo is the only fighter in UFC history to earn two consecutive arm-triangle-choke submissions. He’s also just one of three fighters in UFC history to earn two arm-triangle submissions. The others are Dan Severn and Eric Schafer.

Rafael Natal‘s average fight time of 13:52 is the third longest all-time in UFC middleweight history.

Marcos Vinicius has defeated his opponent by knockout or submission in all 21 of his professional victories.

PRELIMINARY CARD

The 10 fighters scheduled to compete on the preliminary card share a combined 11 fights of UFC experience.

Felipe Arantes competes in his fifth UFC bout, all of which have taken place in his home country of Brazil.

Lucas Martins will drop two weight classes to compete at bantamweight after making his UFC debut against Edson Barboza at lightweight earlier this year.

Ivan Jorge has won five straight fights by rear-naked-choke submission, four in the first round.

For more on UFC Fight Night 28, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Ryan Bader)