UFC Fight Night 73 results recap: Glover Teixeira vs Ovince Saint Preux fight review and analysis

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight contenders Glover Teixeira and Ovince Saint Preux collided last night (Aug. 8, 2015) at UFC Fight Night 73 inside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

After a hot streak that lasted more than eight years, Teixeira had lost two fights in a row. Last night, Teixeira was looking to prove that he was still in the 205-pound title hunt by taking out "OSP."

On the other hand, Saint Preux had looked incredible in his last couple performances. Utilizing a accurate counter punches, he knocked both opponents out in quick fashion and was looking to make it three in a row.

Teixeira landed a takedown immediately, but "OSP" worked back to his feet within a minute. A groin shot briefly stalled the action and got Saint Preux off the fence, which allowed him to rock his opponent with a body kick and punches.

Though Teixeira was badly hurt, he managed to turn it around with another takedown directly into mount. From there, he pounded on his opponent and threatened with chokes. However, "OSP" managed to slip out from back mount, only to be taken back down into the mount just moments later.

Once more, Saint Preux escaped the back mount. This time, he landed in top position and threatened with the Von Flue choke, which looked tight. Teixeira managed to escape back to his feet, and the two fighters then traded shots in the clinch.

Did I mention this all happened in the first round?

Teixeira pushed forward like a terminator to start the second round. Ignoring his opponents nasty snap kick to the body, the Brazilian walked his opponent down with punches and soon landed another takedown.

This time around, Saint Preux's fatigue allow Teixeira to control top position. From the half guard, Teixeira did nice work with elbows and punches, bloodying his opponent.

"OSP" managed to work back to his feet and land some nice punches in the last 30 seconds, but the round still belonged to Teixeira.

Teixeira landed some nice punches to start the third before landing another takedown. It took a couple minutes of ground strikes from half guard, but Teixeira moved into the mount with plenty of time remaining.

When Teixeira postured up from mount and started delivering elbows, Once again, Saint Preux turned and gave up his back. However, he no longer had the energy to explode and scramble, which allowed Teixeira to sink in the rear-naked choke and put his opponent to sleep.

This was a pretty solid performance for Teixeira. He didn't reinvent the wheel, but Teixeira reminded everyone of his strengths by out-boxing and grinding his opponent out. Even if Teixeira's skills or athleticism have declined -- as many suggested prior to this fight -- his heart certainly hasn't.

This was very much a case of the Brazilian wanting it more. Both men landed and absorbed plenty of hard shots and slowed down a bit, but Teixeira never stopped coming forward and looking to implement his game. Eventually, that mentality earned him the finish.

After this win, Teixeira appears to be back in the mix. There really isn't anyone for him to fight, but I guess the victor of Anthony Johnson and Jimi Manuwa could make sense.

It would certainly be entertaining.

This fight really shows where Saint Preux's ceiling lies. His athleticism and power are still incredible, but there are simply massive holes in his game. In this bout, his boxing was really exposed, as Teixeira's hands were simply much better and his defense didn't disappear in exchanges. Furthermore, after Teixeira survived the body kick in the first round, Saint Preux ran out of ideas on his feet, throwing weird strikes and shooting for silly takedowns.

As for his wrestling and grappling issues, Ryan Bader already proved those issues.

To his credit, Saint Preux is a tough bastard. He never gave up, and "OSP" went after it whenever he had an opportunity to throw heat. It didn't work out for him, but athleticism and heart will continue to win him fights.

Just not against the best fighters in the division.

Last night, Glover Teixeira took out Saint Preux in a very entertaining scrap. Can the Brazilian work his way back to a title shot?

For complete UFC Fight Night 73: "Teixeira vs St. Preux" results and play-by-play, click HERE!